Malaysia’s government has issued a ban on Israeli-owned and flagged ships, as well as any vessels destined for Israel, from docking at its ports.
According to international news, the ban, effective immediately, is in response to Israel’s actions in the conflict with Hamas, as stated by Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim. Malaysian citizens are Muslim in their majority, and the state does not recognize Israel and has a history of supporting Palestinian rights.
Israel’s actions ‘violate international law through the ongoing massacre and brutality against Palestinians’, says Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim https://t.co/M4CkKi2dOD pic.twitter.com/EONoLoE0EC
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 20, 2023
The decision overturns the past Cabinet’s allowance of Israeli-registered companies and ships to dock in Malaysia since 2005. The ban extends to the Israel-based global shipping company ZIM, whose vessels have been docking in Malaysia since 2002, CNN reports.
Additionally, Malaysia has imposed restrictions on ships heading to Israel from loading cargo at Malaysian ports. Malaysia’s prohibition comes at a time when severe interruptions to maritime routes are occurring due to Houthi rebel assaults.
