KUALA LUMPUR – Boycott, Divestments, Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia is calling for a nationwide march on January 13 (Saturday), in solidarity with Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israeli forces.
The march is to be part of similar actions nationwide to protest Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip – which has killed 21,822 people and injured about 56,000 – since the current wave of strikes began on October 7.
“Let us march together in towns and cities across the world for a global day for Gaza on January 13th,” BDS Malaysia said on social media posts today on Instagram and X.
The movement said January 13 had been selected by Palestinian civil society for the international community to mobilise and take to the streets to demand a ceasefire once more.
“We need to intensify this pressure by coordinating actions across the globe.”
13 Januari 2024.
— BDS Malaysia (@BdsMalaysia) January 1, 2024
Tandakan tarikh ini dalam kalendar anda.
13 January 2024
Mark this date on your calendar. pic.twitter.com/vHMdm1Hiru
BDS Malaysia is currently being sued by McDonald’s Malaysia for slander over calls for a boycott of the fast food chain.
McDonald’s Malaysia, for its part, has consistently said it is 100% Muslim owned, has donated to humanitarian aid for Palestinians, and does not support Israel’s acts of genocide in Gaza.
Despite these explanations, many are still blaming McDonald’s Malaysia for its brand name association with McDonald’s in Israel, which has sponsored meals for Israeli soldiers.
The number of Palestinians killed by Israel to date is in retaliation for the October 7 cross-border attacks by Hamas which killed 1,200 Israelis and took 240 hostages.
The US and pro-Israel western powers have repeatedly vetoed United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire. – January 1, 2024