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MALAYSIA has condemnedIsrael’s move in setting up an internal panel to investigate the May 31 attack on the Freedom Flotilla.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the move went against the international community’s call to set up an independent international body to investigate the attack.

“The regime’s action is inappropriate since Israel itself is involved in the incident and as such, it will not be able to conduct a fair and transparent investigation,” he said while tabling a special motion to condemn the Israeli atrocities at the Dewan Negara yesterday.

The motion was seconded by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. It was later passed.

On May 31, the Mavi Marmara ship, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza with 12 Malaysians on board, was attacked by Israeli forces in international waters resulting in nine deaths.

Israeli troops intercepted and seized another aid ship, the Rachel Corrie, off the coast of Gaza a few days later.

Following international outcry over the incidents, Israel set up a three-man panel to probe into the deadly raid.

On June 7, the Dewan Rakyat approved a motion by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak which called for the international community to act against Israel’s alleged war crimes by hauling it to the International Criminal Court.

Muhyiddin said Israel’s setting up of an internal panel showed the arrogance o Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Malaysia fully supports the setting up of a United Nations investigative panel, which will be headed by former New Zealand prime minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer and members include representatives from the United States, Israel, Turkey and the UN,” he said.

He demanded that Israel adhere to the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1860 (2009) to resolve the 2008/2009 Gaza war.

He said Malaysia wants channels to be opened to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

“In this regard, Malaysia will continue to call on the Egyptian government to allow humanitarian aid to be channelled into Gaza via Rafah.

“The prime minister has already sent a letter to the Egyptian president requesting cooperation from the country to open its borders in Rafah without any conditions.”

He said Israel’s move to allow aid into Gaza was a temporary one to ward off pressure and thwart international efforts calling for it to end its blockade and illegal sanctions against Gaza.