ACADEMICS have urged against anyone using the conflict in Gaza to push their own agenda.

They told The Malaysian Insight that if the authorities are not firm, certain quarters can cause trouble and disharmony in the country with their hardline support and stand on the conflict in the Middle East.

They said support for the Palestinian cause should unite Malaysians in fighting for justice, not divide them.

Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Azmi Hassan said there are differences in opinion among different local pro-Palestinian groups, including politicians, but stressed the differences should not be an excuse to cause further disharmony.

“Look at Israel. The majority of the people there are demanding that Benjamin Netanyahu resign (as the prime minister) and accept responsibility for the attack. There have been protests in Tel Aviv.

“However, they agree on one thing. They have to remain united at this moment. We should at least learn from them. We should not argue among ourselves,” said Azmi.

Israel unleashed a massive bombing campaign in Gaza after Hamas gunmen stormed across the Gaza border on October 7, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and seizing about 240 hostages.

About 10,000 people have since been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, half of them children, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in the Palestinian territory said.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia was in agreement, saying the conflict was being politicised by political parties here for their own gain.

The senior lecturer said the matter was being used to stir up unnecessary attention, such as the justification in bringing toy guns to schools in a show of solidarity for the Palestinian resistance.

The academic expressed disgust as to how the conflict, which has killed women and children, was being used to rally support for specific groups and to point the blame at each other.

“What I can say is that the conflict is now being politicised. Everyone is trying to compete and show they care more for Palestinians than the others.

“This can escalate if not controlled, especially between Muslims and the non-Muslims. We have been hearing one group condemning the other group just for having a different set of opinions. People are killed mercilessly but some people are just using it for their own benefit.

“It can cause tension among the public, as political parties try to win brownie points by organising events related to Palestine,” said Mazlan.

Authorities must be firm

Mazlan said the relevant authorities have to monitor the situation, adding that stern action has to be taken against those who try to stir up the issue unnecessarily.

“If these differences are not monitored, it could become another internal turmoil in our already divided society. We are already arguing over who is more Muslim here and now we are trying to prove who supports Palestinians more.

“This is not good for a multiethnic country like ours. If this is not controlled, it will be another problem for us,” he added.

There is already a huge debate among politicians over Malaysia’s support for Palestinians.

Recently, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek urged all parties, government and opposition alike, not to disrupt the school ecosystem with regard to the Palestine Solidarity Week programme organised by the ministry.

She said all parties need to understand the programme is aimed at educating school children about humanity, harmony and universal values.

“Do not make noise and be upset if there are no ‘takbir’ or (recitation of) ‘Qunut Nazilah’ in schools. There are reasons why certain activities are allowed at school.

“What is important in education is that the message of humanity, peace and universal security be conveyed.”

Meanwhile, Iman Research programme director Badrul Hisham Ismail said Malaysians should not rely on politicians as they have never been consistent in fighting for an issue.

He said the public should educate themselves by reading verified news and not listen completely to what politicians say.

“Politicians have never been consistent. They can play up something else tomorrow. We should not rely on politicians to deal with a complex matter such as the Palestinian-Israel conflict, which has been ongoing for more than 70 years.

“But we can ask the government to be firm on this matter and that is what our government has done. But everything else is for political gains, be it the opposition or the government, that is different story.” – November 7, 2023.