'Impossible for Malaysia to sympathise with Israel' - Nazri Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian ambassador to the United States Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the Malaysian government and its people, in their right minds, would never show sympathy towards Israel.

Nazri said this to the United States Department of State after being contacted about Washington's displeasure with some of Malaysia's strong statements against Israel.

When asked by the department whether Malaysia would express sympathy for the Israeli people, Nazri affirmed that Malaysia's sympathies were for Palestinians only.

"Powerful countries in the world have never shown any care or compassion towards the children and elderly people of Palestine, who have been suffering for decades as a result of Israel's brutal policies.

"How is it possible to expect sypmathy from Malaysia for those who act inhumanely like the Israeli regime?" he said.

The United States Department also questioned Malaysia's unwavering support for Hamas.

Nazri said that Malaysia's support for Hamas should not be disputed because the party is the choice of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

"Malaysia respects the support of the Palestinian people in Gaza who have chosen Hamas as the ruler of their country.

"There is no reason for Malaysia not to stand with the Palestinian people in their efforts to claim the rights that have been usurped by Israel.

"Malaysia will also not succumb to any pressure from any party for the support given to Hamas and Palestine," he added.

Nazri also told the department that Malaysia will always stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank.

He said, regardless of any situation, Israel should immediately stop the bombings in Gaza and establish a humanitarian corridor in Rafah, Egypt.

"Only those who suffer from mental problems will support what the Israeli regime is doing to the Palestinian people.

"Israel does not need to play victim in this matter because their actions so far have been far more violent and inhumane," he said.

He also added that the Malaysian embassy did not agree with the excuses given when Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir tried to contact Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.

"The reasons given by Washington to Wisma Putra were very weak.

"They seem to want to belittle Malaysia by only wanting Blinken's deputy to deal with (Datuk Seri) Zambry," he added. - Awani