Malaysia received 3 diplomatic notes from US over Palestine, says premier

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday revealed that the US had objected to the South Asian nation’s stance over Palestine.

Anwar told the parliament that the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur sent two demarches, or diplomatic notices, to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.

He added that Malaysia’s ambassador in Washington was also summoned by the US State Department over the issue, Free Malaysia Today reported, quoting Anwar’s speech in parliament.

He also said Washington wants Kuala Lumpur to change its stance which seeks a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict.

Addressing a pro-Palestine event last week, Anwar said Malaysia had received threats over its solidarity with and support for Palestine.

Washington wants “Malaysia change its position of refusing to recognize Hamas as a terrorist group,” Anwar told Malaysian lawmakers.

“Malaysia strongly rejects all forms of terrorism and categorically condemns the actions of killing innocent lives and taking women and children as hostages in Palestine,” he said in brief comments delivered in English.

Since the latest Israel-Palestine fighting broke earlier this month, Anwar held separate phone calls with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

“Malaysia also unequivocally condemned the bombing of civilians, homes and hospitals, and the consequential massacre of innocent lives, children, women and men that is being carried out day and night by the Israeli forces,” he said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Meanwhile, Anwar said the heads of the members states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation are mulling to hold a conference over Palestine.

“I have instructed the foreign minister to contact Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. There may be a justification for an emergency meeting involving countries like Brazil, Russia and China, which have taken a firm stance against Israeli violence,” he said.

Last weekend the Israeli army widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

Over 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict – 8,525 Palestinians, including over 2,187 children – and 1,538 Israelis.