Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently made it clear that any Israeli nationals found in Malaysia would be deported immediately. This comes after reports emerged that Israelis using second passports had entered the country to participate in activities linked to the Network School in Forest City, Johor. Malaysian authorities are now investigating whether dual citizenship was used to bypass long-standing restrictions on Israeli passport holders.

Instead of respecting Malaysia’s sovereign right to investigate potential breaches of its immigration laws, eight US Democratic lawmakers—Greg Landsman, Josh Gottheimer, Jimmy Panetta, Dan Goldman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Jared Moskowitz, Brad Sherman and Jake Auchincloss reacted by urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review security and economic ties with Malaysia. 

They even proposed suspending Malaysia’s participation in the International Military Education and Training (IMET) programme unless Putrajaya reversed its policy within just 15 days. 

Malaysia’s response was equally firm. Anwar reiterated that Malaysia would not abandon a policy that has existed for decades simply because another country disapproved of it.

Malaysia’s response was equally firm. Anwar reiterated that Malaysia would not abandon a policy that has existed for decades simply because another country disapproved of it.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan also reminded Washington that Malaysia’s refusal to recognise Israel did not begin with the current administration. It has been a consistent national policy across successive governments.

Anwar also emphasised an essential distinction:........

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