A coalition of 33 Malaysian NGOs has voiced strong disappointment with the “New York Declaration” issued on July 25, criticising it for failing to address the root causes of the ongoing war in Gaza.

In a joint statement today, the NGOs said the international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable under international law lies at the heart of the crisis.

“It is also the main reason why Palestinians chose to support Hamas in Gaza and support its ongoing resistance efforts,” they said.

The coalition stressed that any proposed solution that fails to halt Israeli impunity or disregards Palestinians’ right to self-determination will never bring lasting peace to the region.

“We call on the international community to end Israeli impunity, especially its ongoing crimes of genocide in Gaza, by immediately imposing diplomatic and economic sanctions on it.

“We call upon the Malaysian government to continue to urge more countries to join the Hague Group’s joint Bogota Declaration on Palestine, issued on July 16, 2025,” the statement added.

The Bogota Declaration, backed by the Hague Group, outlines six firm measures against Israel, including arms embargoes and support for International Criminal Court arrest warrants.

Turning to the New York Declaration, the NGOs criticised its call for Hamas to end its rule in Gaza and disarm in favour of the Palestinian Authority.

They argued the declaration sidesteps the core injustices facing Palestinians, particularly:

  • Israel’s ongoing violation of UN Resolution 242, through its illegal occupation of the West Bank since 1967 and its blockade of Gaza since 2007.

  • Israel’s failure to implement UN Resolution 194, which affirms the right of return for Palestinian refugees to their homes and properties.

  • Israel’s continued denial of equal rights and treatment to Palestinians within its current borders.

The joint statement was endorsed by a broad spectrum of civil society organisations, including BDS Malaysia, MyCare, Abim, ACCIN, Syria Care, Human Relief, Pertubuhan Mawaddah Malaysia, GSPP, World Tamilar Protection Secretariat (WTPS), Sekretariat Solidariti Palestin (SSP), Friends of Palestine Network Malaysia (FoP), Pertubuhan Intelektual Perlis (PiP), Persatuan Akademia Ikram Malaysia, Pertubuhan Agenda Wanita Malaysia (Agenda), Muslim Care Malaysia, and the Malaysian Women’s Coalition for Al-Quds and Palestine (MWCQP).

Other signatories included the Global Movement to Gaza - Malaysia (GMTG), Students Against Genocide Malaysia, Muslim Professionals Forum, Citizens International, Persatuan Mantan Profesor Universiti Malaya, Al-Quds Foundation Malaysia, Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations, Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief (Mahar), Sejagat, MediCOM Malaysia, Pertubuhan Viva Palestina Malaysia, Movement for Monetary Justice Malaysia, Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM), Ikram Muda, Aliran, Palestine Centre of Excellence (Pace), and Ikram.

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