Malaysian Government Slams Australia’s West Jerusalem Decision
Jakarta, MINA — Malaysia has lashed Australia’s decision to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, describing it as a “humiliation” of the Palestinians and their quest for a homeland, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
And late on Surning Herald reported.nday, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad personally weighed into the controversy and declared “Jerusalem should remain as it is now and not [be] the capital of Israel” – hours after the Malaysian foreign ministry statement on the “premature” decision.
Dr Mahathir’s direct rebuke of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s policy shift underscores the anger among at least some of Australia’s south-east Asian neighbours over the decision.
The strongly worded statement from Malaysia contrasts sharply with the muted initial response from Indonesia, and underscores the fact that Canberra’s decision has put Australia’s allies, trade partners and neighbours offside.
“Malaysia strongly opposes the decision by the government of Australia to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” the Malaysian foreign ministry statement said.
“Malaysia firmly believes that this announcement, made before the settlement of a two-state solution, is premature and a humiliation to the Palestinians and their struggle for the right to self-determination.
“Malaysia reiterates its long-standing position that a two-state solution, in which the Palestinians and the Israelis live side by side in peace, is the only viable solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Malaysia will continue to work closely with all partners to find a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict.”
Dr Mahathir was speaking to reporters during a visit to Bangkok.
He also said that “Jerusalem has always been under Palestine, so why are they [Australia] taking the initiative to divide Jerusalem [as it is] not belonging to them, but to divide the Arabs and the Jews? They have no rights”.
The comments from Malaysia come a day after Mr Morrison formally recognised West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital while also acknowledging Palestinian aspirations to establish a separate state with its capital in East Jerusalem.
In November, Dr Mahathir said after meeting Mr Morrison in Singapore that “I pointed out that in dealing with terrorism, one has to know the causes”.
“Adding to the cause for terrorism is not going to be helpful, I pointed that out,” he said, referring to the proposal.
In a backdown from his original proposal, Mr Morrison declined to move Australia’s embassy to Jerusalem immediately and instead said this would be delayed until a two-state solution was agreed – which could take years. A trade and defence office will be set up in West Jerusalem instead.
STRONG CRITICISM FROM THE ARAB WORLD
Nevertheless, the decision to recognise West Jerusalem drew strong criticism from the Arab world, where there are already calls for a boycott of Australian exports such as beef and wheat, and triggered criticism in Indonesia from opposition parties.
Late on Saturday, the Indonesian government released an official response to the announcement that noted Australia’s decision to “not relocate its embassy to Jerusalem” and Australia’s support for “the principle of two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Palestine”.
The statement did not acknowledge that West Jerusalem had been recognised as Israel’s capital, nor did it mention when or if the delayed free trade deal between the two countries would be signed – which could be a sign the trade deal will be put on ice until after the April 2019 presidential and parliamentary elections in Indonesia. (T/RS5/RS1)
Mi’’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
