Anwar told to explain 'protecting the security of Israel' statement

KUALA LUMPUR: Pas leaders are still seeking clarification from Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regarding his controversial remarks on protecting the state of Israel.

Pas deputy president Mohamad Sabu told The Mole the party will get Anwar to explain his statement in the next Pakatan Rakyat component party leaders meeting.

"We have yet to listen to his (Anwar) explanation on the matter. We will do so once we get to meet him in the next meeting for his official response about this issue, Mohamad Sabu said, stressing that Pas will not budge from its stand of not recognising Israel as a state and condemning the killings of Palestinians.

Criticisms has been mounting against the Opposition leader for his statement in the Wall Street Journal last month where he reportedly pledged his support to protect the security of Israel.

Prior to this Perdana Global Peace Foundation had also pointed out that it was in the name of protecting the security of Israel that had been used as a justification to legitimise the genocide on Palestinians.

In a strongly worded statement that condemned the opposition leader for coming up with such which appeared in the Wall Street Journal, PGPF pointed out that efforts to protect the security of Israel had not only resulted in deaths of many Palestinians, but used as a license to continue with military belligerence on the besieged people.

Among his latest critic is director of the Center for Middle Eastern and Islamic World at Muhammadiyah University in Indonesia Hery Sucipto who said Anwar’s statement has stunned Muslim-majority countries and he risk losing their support.

A blog post has quoted Heri’s statement in Indonesian newspaper Rakyat Merdeka where he pointed that Anwar’s remark was politically motivated to gain support from the US and other Western nations.

Pas youth head Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi distanced himself from Anwar’s statement, saying that the Pas cannot be held responsible for Anwar's statements.

“I think it is better for you to get Anwar’s clarification about this,” Nasruddin said.

He stressed that Pas has been consistent with its stand about Israel and it was unlikely for the party to change it.

Asked whether he was surprised on Anwar’s remark, Nasruddin said, “I am not surprised as they were a lot of clashes of opinions regarding the two-state solution.”

“I believe it is normal to have differences in opinions but as for Pas, we will continue to uphold our principles and justice to Palestinians,” he added.

Source: MOLE