Page 29 - IDFR_AR_2021
P. 29
INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN RELATIONS INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN RELATIONS
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA
postgraduate degrees. He added that at least 500,000 of the two-state solution in alleviating the Palestinians’
Malaysians have attended institutions in the United suffering from continuous discrimination and violations
Kingdom. of international laws. For example, Israel had refused
to let the Palestinians living in Jerusalem vote in the
H.E. Hay concluded his session by reaffirming the UK Palestinian election that was to be conducted on 22 May
continued engagement with the region and highlighted 2021. He stated that elections can only take place if the
the new opportunities that Brexit would bring including Palestinians in Jerusalem are allowed to vote as per
the new policies to be introduced by the government their political rights. He also added that the European
which were expected to upgrade the UK’s relationship Union and several Muslim nations had pledged to exert
with other countries, particularly the Southeast Asian pressure on Israel in favour of Palestine.
countries.
H.E. Walid expressed his hope in attaining a peaceful
Ambassador Lecture Series 2/2021 environment for the Palestinian people during the
current Biden administration. He proceeded to explain
On 6 May 2021, IDFR successfully hosted the second how the Biden administration may encourage effective
Ambassador Lecture Series (ALS), titled Shedding accommodation and implementation of the previously
Light on the Palestine Question, with H.E. Walid Abu negotiated two-state solution for the benefit of both
Ali, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Malaysia. states. The global community was asked to be more
A total of 93 people from various embassies and conscious of the fact that regional stability could only
high commissions, as well as officials from relevant be realised if the Palestinians’ rights to live in peace
ministries, government agencies, and universities, inside their own state, with Jerusalem as its capital,
attended the virtual lecture held via Google Meet. was recognised.
H.E. Walid continued to express his gratitude to the
Malaysian government for its steadfast support for the
Palestinians’ cause throughout the years. He praised
Malaysia for her unwavering commitment and support
to help Palestine at all levels; politically, economically,
monetarily, and emotionally, in the fight for justice. With
a ray of hope on the horizon, His Excellency urged the
audience to keep supporting Palestine until a change is
achieved.
H.E. Walid commenced the lecture by highlighting
the plight of millions of Palestinians living in different
regions across the globe, including the Palestinian
territories. He maintained that despite the compromise
of a two-state solution, the Palestinians continue to
experience constant discrimination and persecution by
the Israeli army and illegal settlers.
H.E. Walid expressed his dissatisfaction with the failure
28 29
2021 ANNUAL REPORT 2021 ANNUAL REPORT