Putrajaya – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim lauded Qatar’s negotiating role in the ongoing war launched by Israel on Gaza Strip. In exclusive statements to Al Jazeera, he considered Qatar’s maintenance of its relations with Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas” in Gaza as giving it a prominent position and a better negotiation stance, stating, “I don’t see any other country capable of what Qatar has done.”
The Malaysian leader did not express surprise at the attacks on Doha by Israeli officials despite the United States praising Qatar’s role. He sarcastically remarked, “We are dealing with Israelis who don’t listen to anyone,” urging Qatar to continue its constructive role aimed, in his opinion, at achieving peace or a ceasefire and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Western Hypocrisy
On another note, the Malaysian Prime Minister called on Western powers supporting Israel to stop what he described as “collusion in killing children, infants, women, and civilians,” and urged the United States to pressure Israel to cease its aggression and killings. He mentioned candidly conveying this stance to US President Joe Biden.
Anwar Ibrahim reiterated his criticism of Western powers, including the United States, for what he termed hypocrisy, as they turn a blind eye to civilian killings while preaching and promoting democratic values and human rights simultaneously.
He emphasized his country’s principled commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause, detailing the various avenues they pursue in this regard, saying, “We have not left any international or regional forum without raising our voice loudly in support of the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state, and working to end the tragedy of the Palestinian people.”
Anwar Ibrahim added, “We continue to send our humanitarian aid, assisting women and children who are injured by bringing them for treatment in Malaysian hospitals, and collaborating with Arab countries, neighboring countries, and Islamic countries to achieve any other goals.”
Advocacy Against Israel
The Malaysian Prime Minister affirmed his government’s ongoing efforts to hold Israel accountable for its crimes in all international courts and forums, denying that Malaysia hesitated to initiate bringing the case to the International Court of Justice.
He stated that the hindrance to the initiative is Malaysia not being a signatory to the Rome Statute founding the court, and its laws do not allow non-member states to file lawsuits. However, Malaysia can provide support in the case, as it is currently doing. He revealed to Al Jazeera that Foreign Minister Mohamed Hasan will personally argue against Israel on February 24th of this year.
Despite Anwar Ibrahim expressing his confidence in the strength of the case raised by South Africa and supported by his country and his high confidence in reaching condemnation of Israel, he acknowledged that the court lacks enforcement tools, as with United Nations resolutions not being enforced against Israel. Hence, he sees a critical need to exert pressure on Washington specifically to play a vital role in this context.
