Malaysia bans Israeli owned and linked shipping citing ‘cruelty against the Palestinian people’

CNN —

Malaysia’s government announced Wednesday that it was imposing a ban on all Israeli owned and flagged ships, as well as any vessels headed to Israel, from docking at its ports.

The announcement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office said the ban would take place with immediate effect and was in response to Israel’s conduct in its conflict with Hamas.

“This sanction is a response to Israel’s actions that disregard the basic humanitarian principles and violate international law through the ongoing massacre and continuous cruelty against the Palestinian people,” the statement read.

Muslim–majority Malaysia has long championed Palestinian rights and causes. Like nearby Indonesia, Brunei, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Pakistan, it does not recognize Israel.

The ongoing bombardment of Gaza by Israel’s military following Hamas’ deadly October 7 attacks has sparked mass rallies in Malaysia and put domestic political pressure on Anwar.

A Malaysian maritime port in the southern state of Johor.

Anwar remains one of the most outspoken world leaders against Israel as well as its backers in the United States, although the latter remains a major trading partner.

In a parliamentary speech made in November, Anwar said that the government would maintain ties with Hamas and “would not punish” the group following its October 7 rampage in Israel in which some 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians, and saw more than 200 hostages taken.

Malaysian passports also bear the inscription: “Valid for all countries except Israel.” Israeli passport holders are forbidden to enter Malaysia without prior permission.

In its statement, the Malaysian government said Israeli-registered companies and ships had been previously allowed to