All of ZIM Line’s ships will be barred from calling at Malaysian ports effective from 20 December, as the Muslim country announced a blanket ban on all Israel-flagged vessels.
Alluding to the Gaza war, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, said, “These restrictions are a response to Israel’s actions that ignore basic humanitarian principles and violate international law through continuous massacres and atrocities against the Palestinians.”
The premier said the government is certain that the boycott will not affect Malaysian trade activities.
Since 2005, ZIM’s ships have been permitted to call at Malaysia, after a decades-long ban was imposed.
Anwar said that the previous Cabinet approval has been revoked.
Malaysia’s decision signifies how the Gaza war has extended beyond Israel and Palestine, as Israeli ships have been targeted by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
Malaysia, a long-time ally of Palestine, does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. Anwar has refused to yield to Western pressure for Malaysia to cut ties with Hamas.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
