Malaysia says forced displacement of Palestinians would be ethnic cleansing

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KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Malaysia sees any proposal for the forced displacement of Palestinians as constituting ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law, the foreign ministry said on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a U.S. takeover of Gaza.

“Malaysia strongly opposes any proposal that could lead to the forced displacement or movement of Palestinians from their homeland. Such inhumane actions constitute ethnic cleansing and are clear violations of international law and multiple UN resolutions,” the statement said.

The ministry said it supported a two-state solution as the path to lasting peace and stability.

Muslim-majority Malaysia has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has long advocated for a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said he maintains good relations with the political wing of Palestinian militant group Hamas but has no connection with its military wing.

Neighbouring Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, said late on Wednesday it rejected “any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians or alter the demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

Any such action would obstruct a two-state solution being realised, the ministry said, saying Indonesia called on the international community to ensure respect for international law.

(Reporting by Ashley Tang; Additional reporting by Stanley Widianto in Jakarta; Editing by John Mair)