MEDIA STATEMENT – GOVT OF MALAYSIA, FRIENDS OF DEMOCRACY, AND MUSLIM LEADERS GLOBALLY MUST STRONGLY OBJECT TO TRUMP RECOGNIZING JERUSALEM AS ISRAELI CAPITAL
The recent action of U.S. President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is irresponsible and inflammatory. It requires an international demand for immediate rectification.
President Trump’s actions directly undermine the efforts of democratic forces worldwide, which have been working tirelessly to formalize the status of Palestine sovereignty.
I ask that Muslim leaders globally, starting with Malaysia’s own Prime Minister Najib Razak, stand up to President Trump in support of the United Nations General Assembly and UN Security Council resolutions recognizing East Jerusalem as “occupied Palestinian territory” and rejecting singular Israeli control of this holy city.
PM Razak must now demonstrate that his personal friendship with President Trump, and the investment commitments made on behalf of Malaysia at their meeting, cannot be unconditional in the face of such an affront to democracy and to the Muslim world.
Malaysia’s opposition coalition, Pakatan Harapan, are staunch supporters and activists for democracy and freedom. As Anwar Ibrahim, our de facto leader, explained, “Jerusalem holds a special and symbolic meaning for Muslims. Access to its holy sites are very relevant to Muslims around the world. If America is seen to be inconsistent in applying principles of freedom, justice and self-determination in Palestine then Muslims elsewhere are going to have a hard time believing the rhetoric is real.”
Muslim leaders globally and all true friends of democracy must condemn President Trump’s latest action, and we must be unwavering in championing the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
At the governmental level, in Malaysia and elsewhere, this must include evaluation of the need to take actions such as suspension of commercial and diplomatic commitments with the Trump administration.
Thus, I urge Prime Minister Razak to immediately raise this position at the regional level, as well as in the OIC and the UN. But also, to show Malaysia’s leadership through example, by publicly suspending any commitments made to President Trump, if there is no correction of his insult and injury to the peace process and to the Palestinian people.
These are crucial steps which will hopefully prevent unwanted escalation of long running tensions in the region. If not, these steps will at least clearly separate the people of Malaysia from being a party to President Trump’s disregard for the Palestinian people and the citizens of East Jerusalem.
The rights of the Palestinian people must be supported with determination and consistency on the international stage. Malaysia, as one of the most advanced and privileged countries in the Muslim world, must play a leadership role in upholding the rights of Muslims worldwide. Our government must adhere to the principles of our citizens, and leverage all diplomatic and economic mechanisms at their resource to stand up for what is right on this issue.
NURUL IZZAH ANWAR
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, LEMBAH PANTAI
VICE-PRESIDENT AND CO-ELECTION DIRECTOR, PEOPLE’S JUSTICE PARTY
