US President Donald Trump greets Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur. (Wikimedia/The White House)
Malaysia has once again defended its longstanding policy of barring Israeli citizens from entering the country after several US lawmakers called on Washington to review its security and economic ties with Kuala Lumpur over the issue.
On July 22, Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia’s policy, which has been in place for decades, does not violate international law and reflects the country’s longstanding position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“We are against the presence of any Israeli citizens, not Jews, but Israeli citizens here because they are part and parcel of and complicit in the murders, crimes and continuous oppression and colonisation of Palestine and Gaza,” PM Anwar said, adding that Malaysia would not change its policy in response to external pressure.
His remarks followed a joint letter sent on July 21 by eight members of the US Congress to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the US administration to clarify its response after PM Anwar announced that Malaysia would deport Israeli nationals found to hold dual citizenship and residing in the country. The lawmakers also called for a review of US-Malaysia security cooperation, including the International Military Education and Training (IMET) programme.
The deportation announcement came after authorities in Johor were urged to investigate reports that Israeli nationals holding dual citizenship were living in the Network School technology community in Forest City.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan later reaffirmed that the government had formally explained its position after Malaysia’s ambassador to the US was summoned by the US State Department.
“It has always been Malaysia’s policy. Our immigration policy does not recognise the State of Israel or the Zionist regime,” Foreign Minister Mohamad said, adding that the individual concerned had entered Malaysia using a US passport but was later found to also hold Israeli citizenship and was subsequently asked to leave.
Despite the disagreement, PM Anwar said the issue should not affect bilateral relations, stressing that Malaysia continued to welcome US citizens, businesses and investment while maintaining its longstanding policy of not recognising Israel.
The exchange highlights differing positions between Malaysia and some US lawmakers over the Israel-Gaza conflict and the implications of Malaysia’s longstanding policy towards Israeli citizens. While Malaysia has maintained that its entry ban is a longstanding element of its foreign policy and consistent with its support for the Palestinian cause, some US lawmakers have questioned its potential implications for bilateral cooperation, highlighting how differences over Middle East issues can intersect with broader diplomatic and security relations even as Malaysia and the US continue to cooperate in areas such as defence, trade and regional engagement.
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