Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivered a defiant speech rejecting U.S. pressure to reverse the ban on Israeli citizens, and confirmed he met with a Hamas leader to express condolences. He said Malaysia will not back down, citing a decades-long policy of opposition to Israel.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday rejected U.S. demands to reverse his country's ban on Israeli citizens, delivering a defiant speech that also confirmed a meeting with a Hamas leader.
Speaking in response to a U.S. statement that challenged his decision to block Israeli entry, Ibrahim said: 'They are using this opportunity to threaten me and Malaysia... They must understand that this is an independent and sovereign country, and our opposition to Israel is because of their injustice, because of the occupation.' He added that the ban is a decades-old policy that will not change.
Ibrahim also confirmed that he met with a Hamas leader to express condolences, dismissing criticism as baseless. 'This is not something strange,' he said.
U.S. lawmakers, including Reps. Greg Landsman and Josh Gottheimer, have demanded Malaysia present a plan of action within 15 days and suspend military aid. The Zioneer has previously reported on the escalating diplomatic row, including Malaysia's expulsion of Israelis and the summoning of its ambassador to the U.S.
Chinese state media outlet ShanghaiEye analyzed the move, noting that Malaysia's passport has long printed 'Valid for all countries except Israel,' reflecting a policy enforced for decades. A commentator on the Malaysian channel 8TV Mandarin News also reported on the congressional demands.
Ibrahim's remarks come amid heightened tensions between Malaysia and the U.S., with Washington warning of consequences. Malaysia has no diplomatic relations with Israel and has consistently taken a hardline stance against the Jewish state.
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