Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim today said that while he has been accused of supporting the security of Israel, the Malaysian government too supports the Jewish state, and its stance is similar to his.

He said this support is contingent on the creation of an independent Palestine state and respecting the rights of its people based on the two state-solution.

NONE Quoting Foreign Minister Anifah Aman's ( left ) statement at the United Nations General Assembly last year, he pointed out that Anifah had said: "Malaysia fully supports the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people for an independent State of Palestine, based on the two-state solution, taking into account the security concerns of both parties (Israel and Palestine)."

"Clearly from the foreign minister's statement, Malaysia's policy is of preparedness to respect the rights of the Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace based on the guarantee that the rights of the Palestinians are not violated," said Anwar in a statement yesterday.

Anwar blasted quarters who had accused him of betraying the Palestinian cause, stressing that if a Palestinian state is allowed, then the rights of Israel should also be respected.

"I give a stern warning to any quarters who try to twist my words to slander me that I supposedly have betrayed the aspirations of the Palestinian people," he said.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin called on Anwar to explain his alleged commitment to uphold Israel's security.

This follows Anwar's Thursday interview in the Wall Street Journal which reported him as saying that he supported efforts to protect Israel's security but any relation with the Jewish state depends on its willingness to respect the Palestinian aspirations.

Anifah: Anwar's statement 'pathetic'

Meanwhile in a Bernama report Anifah said today that Anwar’s statement expressing his full support for all actions to safeguard the security of Israel was pathetic, an embarrassment and should be condemned

NONE He said such a remark clearly reflected the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser's acceptance and support for all the actions by Israel against the Palestinian people.    

He said the actions defined by Israel as necessary to safeguard the security of its country include massive military attacks on Gaza, indiscriminate arrests and  detention of Palestinians, killing of Palestinians including their leaders through bomb and missile attacks, and implementation of policies which suppress and victimise the Palestinians such as confiscation of Palestinian homes and building of illegal settlements by the Israelis on Palestinian land.    

"The Malaysian government has never supported any of these actions. In fact, together with the international community, it criticises and strongly condemns such actions which clearly violate international law," said Anifah in a statement today.       

He said the Malaysian government's stand for the best solution to the conflict between Palestine and Israel was through negotiations to ensure lasting regional peace, security and stability.    

"Malaysia calls on all quarters to find a comprehensive solution which is fair and just based on the roadmap and resolutions of the United Nations Security Council where both countries can live next to each other in peace and harmony," he added.    

He said Anwar's remark was merely to win back the support of the Jews and Israel's supporters among the international community in facing the coming general election.    

"As we all know, Anwar's statement in the Dewan Rakyat in March 2010, that the 1Malaysia concept was copied from the Zionist regime had drawn criticism from Jewish leaders.    

"With the statement made by Anwar to the Wall Street Journal, his principle and stand on the Palestinian issue are now clear and I believe the people will be able to judge for themselves," he added.