The Southeast Asian bloc, at the 15th East Asia Summit of Foreign Ministers in Kuala Lumpur, has urged an “end to the genocide of Palestinians” by an “emboldened” Israel, Anadolu reports.

“The longest conflict of modern history, rooted in the unjust and illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territory, must be brought to an end,” Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said, speaking on behalf of the bloc.

“Eighty years of impunity have emboldened Israel to the extent of openly committing genocide, including through mass starvation that includes babies and children,” he said, according to an official transcript of his speech on the Malaysian Foreign Ministry website.

“This is unacceptable. It must not be allowed to continue. It must stop.”

He also added that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) supports and welcomes all initiatives aimed at achieving peace, including those in Ukraine and the Middle East.