Malaysia has condemned in the strongest terms the adoption of the 'Jewish nation-state' law by the Israeli Parliament on July, 19.

The Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) in a statement today said Malaysia urged the international community to take immediate action to call upon Israel to repeal the racist and oppressive law and policy.

"Israel's move will only complicate and undermine peace efforts towards achieving a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian conflict," it said.

Wisma Putra said the legislation, adopted by 62 votes to 55, deemed the land of Israel as the historical homeland of the Jewish people and that the right to exercise national self-determination in the state of Israel is unique to the Jewish people.

It also declared Hebrew as the official language and downgrades the Arabic language to only "special status", it said.

Wisma Putra said under the law, the Israel state viewed the development of Jewish settlement as a national value and would act to encourage and promote its establishment and consolidation.

It said Malaysia remained steadfast in its support to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people for an independent State of Palestine with the realisation of a two-State solution based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

-- Bernama