Opposition Leader's Remarks On Israel Pathetic And An Embarrassment

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- The statement by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, expressing his full support for all actions to safeguard the security of Israel is pathetic, an embarrassment and should be condemned, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said on Sunday. He said such a remark clearly reflected the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR or People's Justice Party) adviser's acceptance and support for all the actions by Israel against the Palestinian people. The actions defined by Israel as necessary to safeguard the security of its country include massive military attacks on Gaza, indiscriminate arrests and detention of Palestinians, killing of Palestinians including their leaders through bomb and missile attacks, and implementation of policies which suppress and victimise the Palestinians such as confiscation of Palestinian homes and building of illegal settlements by the Israelis on Palestinian land. "The Malaysian government has never supported any of these actions. In fact, together with the international community, it criticises and strongly condemns such actions which clearly violate international law,," said Anifah in a statement, here, on Sunday. Anwar, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal recently, said that he would protect the security of Israel. He said the Malaysian government's stand for the best solution to the conflict between Palestine and Israel was through negotiations to ensure lasting regional peace, security and stability. "Malaysia calls on all quarters to find a comprehensive solution which is fair and just based on the roadmap and resolutions of the United Nations Security Council where both countries can live next to each other in peace and harmony," he added. He said Anwar's remark was merely to win back the support of the Jews and Israel's supporters among the international community in facing the coming general election. "As we all know, Anwar's statement in the Dewan Rakyat in March 2010, that the 1Malaysia concept was copied from the Zionist regime had drawn criticism from Jewish leaders. "With the statement made by Anwar to the Wall Street Journal, his principle and stand on the Palestinian issue are now clear and I believe the people will be able to judge for themselves," he added. -- BERNAMA Malaysia