By Rahmah Ghazali
VIDEO INSIDE KUALA LUMPUR: Some 500 people protested in front of the United States embassy here over the attack launched by Israeli commandos on humanitarian aid ship Mavi Marmara, which resulted in at least 19 deaths.
During the protest, a Palestinian attempted to slit his throat with a penknife but was stopped by the police. He was then arrested and taken to the police station.
The man, identified as Moin Mohamed Habib, had earlier removed his shirt and tore his pants. He then swallowed a razor blade.
He was part of a group of Palestinians, most of whom were students, who joined the two separate protests this morning. The emotionally-charged group also set fire to a photo of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. [watch video]
The protests were organised by Malay pressure group Perkasa and Lifeline For Gaza respectively. Several Islamic NGOs such as Abim and JIM also joined in.
Memorandums were also submitted to the US embassy, urging President Barack Obama to take action against Israel. The crowd dispersed at about 11.25am.
A small team of about 50 light strike force police personnel were present at the scene.
PM given 48 hours
Following these protests, another one was mounted by Pakatan Rakyat, also outside the US embassy.
Pakatan leaders gave Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak 48 hours to call for an emergency Parliament sitting to condemn the Israeli government. [read here]
Also this morning, Barisan Nasional Youth submitted a protest note to the United Nations office here.
Led by Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, the protesters numbering about 50, shouted “Hancur Israel” (Destroy Israel) and set fire to an Israeli flag.
They demanded that UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon take harsh action against Israel. [read here]
Mavi Marmara was in a convoy of six vessels bound for Gaza to deliver aid to the 100,000 Palestinians still without shelter.
The Israeli navy stopped the ships ferrying 700 people and 10,000 tonnes of supplies on international waters and forced them into the Israeli port of Ashdod, killing and injuring scores in the process, and provoking a diplomatic crisis.
It has been reported that six Malaysians were onboard Mavi Marmara, including two journalists from private television Astro Awani.
The other six, including two TV3 journalists, were on Rachel Corrie, which today reportedly pressed on to the Gaza strip despite warnings from Israel.
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