KUALA LUMPUR – MPs across the divide wore green today in the Dewan Rakyat to show their solidarity with Palestine, which has seen a disproportionate number of casualties from Israel’s pounding of the Gaza Strip since last month.
Among them were Halimah Ali (Kapar-PN) and Datuk Wira Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah-PN), who each wore a green hijab. Kamal Bin Ashaari (Kuala Krau-PN) wore a green shirt and tie.
On the government bench, Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau-PH) and Syahredzan Johan both wore green ties, while Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad (Parit Sulong-BN) was head to toe in a full green outfit.
The choice of colour is in line with calls on social media using the hashtags #weargreenforpalestine and #weargreen to mark today’s date by wearing green in solidarity with Palestinians.
On X (formerly Twitter), @iRaesmee urged netizens to spread the wear-green message to reach a wider audience.
“Green symbolises renewal and harmony in Palestine. It is used in flags, symbols, and art to express hope for peace, prosperity, and the revival of their homeland, holding significant cultural and political meaning for Palestinians,” he said.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (Pontian-BN) also uploaded a photo of him in a green baju melayu, expressing hope for Palestinian independence.
“Green does not mean the colour of ‘that’ party,” he said on X, in an apparent reference to rival PAS.
“Green represents solidarity with Palestine. This initiative (wearing green) is an effort by various non-governmental organisations worldwide,” Ahmad said.
To date, more than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children, have been killed in the Zionist regime’s strikes on Gaza since October 7, when Hamas fighters launched surprise attacks inside Israel, killing 1,200 and taking 240 hostages, according to Tel Aviv. – November 15, 2023