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Published: Saturday January 28, 2012 MYT 2:42:00 PM
Updated: Saturday January 28, 2012 MYT 3:04:36 PM

Umno Youth criticises Anwar for article "supporting Israel"


PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth has questioned Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement of his apparent support for Israel's security.

Anwar had told the Wall Street Journal in an interview that he "support all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel.”

Umno Youth international bureau chief Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid said Anwar's comments reflected “his efforts to support certain friends who stand firmly behind the Zionist regime.”

He said that it was the Palestinians who needed protection and humanitarian aid after being oppressed by Israel.

“Does PKR now agree and support attacks on Gaza based on the policy of protecting Israel's security?” Ahmad Zaki said in a statement Saturday.

In the article, Anwar also clarified his position on homosexual rights and Malaysia's sodomy laws, and also the Muslim-majority nation's relationship with Israel.

"I support all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel," said Anwar, although he stopped short of saying he would open diplomatic ties with the Jewish state, a step which he said remains contingent on Israel respecting the aspirations of Palestinians.

Malaysia has consistently refrained from establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, although limited commercial ties exist between private companies in the two countries, the article said.

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