February 14, 2012
Anwar to Najib: State Your Stand on 2-State Solution to the Palestinian-Israel Conflict
by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle
Parti Keadilan Rakyat, led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, has challenged Prime Minister Najib Razak to state clearly “once and for all” if his government supports a two-state solution for the long-standing Palestinian-Israel conflict.
“We demand that Najib states his own position and that of his government clearly to all
Malaysians and the rest of the world – does his UMNO-BN administration support a two-state solution or not? If a two-state solution is the position of his government, then why is he criticizing Anwar for his comments – is he not being two-faced?” PKR Vice President Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle in an email reply on Tuesday.
“We have to be very careful with Najib. This is an international issue is watched very closely by world powers. Unlike Anwar who is respected for his consistency, Najib says one thing abroad and another at home. We fully expect Najib to ignore our challenge and to keep to a deafening silence but that itself will be enough to show the world his and UMNO’s duplicity. We also fully expect him to get his aides to call up and assure the US and Israel that what he says to his home audience is not the official stand, but just ‘politicking’. But the time has come for the world to stand up to such nonsense and punish first-class international liars such as Najib and his colleague Mahathir Mohamad.”
Leveraging on PAS’ fundamentalism
In a political move, emboldened by the Islamist PAS party’s call to Anwar to clarify his comments on Israel, Najib rushed to declared his backing for Palestine, hoping that the Muslim community in the country would forget that this has been Anwar’s stand for the past few decades.
Najib is hoping to create a media drama over the issue in a bid to whittle down Anwar’s credibility with the Malay Muslims – who form the largest electorate in the country .
Calling Anwar “two-faced”, Najib said Malaysia rejects the Opposition Leader’s statement and continues to support the Palestinian cause. But pundits pointed out that Najib had slyly evaded mention of a two-state solution, which is at the heart of the matter.
The two-state solution refers to the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict currently under discussion, which calls for “two states for two peoples.” The two-state solution envisages the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel.
“Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organisation know this is not our stand. They know that Malaysia is very supportive of the Palestinian cause,” the mainstream media reported Najib as saying.
Yet backing for the Palestinian state has always been Anwar’s pet insistence even when he was the Deputy Prime Minister and the UMNO No. 2 back in the 1990s. This support for Palestine is now a cornerstone of his PKR party’s foreign policy.
“PKR reiterates that the full sovereignty for an independent Palestinian nation must be immediately established. This stand is and has never been negotiable and remain uncompromisable,” said Tian.
Najib and UMNO’s religious bigotry and racial politicking
The issue came about last month when Anwar was interviewed by the foreign media across the globe after his acquittal from sodomy charges trumped up by the Najib administration. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, this is what Anwar said:
Desperate to chop down to size a resurgent Anwar, Najib and UMNO seized on the WSJ comments to insinuate to the Muslims in the country that Anwar held the security and safety of Israel above that of Palestine.
This is not true and Anwar has taken pains to explain it. Sad to say, it has not stopped Najib and UMNO from going after him.
However, the Islamist PAS – a member of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition – holds the view that it is wrong for any Muslim to recognize that Israel has any rights. It is categorically against a two-state solution.
To PAS, Israel is an illegal state and its ulamak or council of clerics has demanded that Anwar retract his remarks or sue the Wall Street Journal for misquoting him.
“As friends, it is our duty to correct each other, and if see something not right with our friends, then we should tell them so and vice versa. This what Islam teaches us. So I have done my part as a friend and as PAS spiritual leader in asking him to retract his statement on Israel,” PAS Spiritual Leader Nik Aziz said.
However, while Anwar is due to meet the 79-year-old PAS leader soon, the 3 parties within the Pakatan Rakyat – PKR, PAS and DAP – are equal partners. They are bound by a common platform that spells out precisely the extent of their commitment on a particular point and issue. Whatever else that is not detailed in their Common Policy Framework, they are not obliged to adhere to and are free to hold their own opinion and stand.
“The recent hoo-ha over the Islamic state and hudud law that BN used to pressure PAS and DAP
is a good example. Did PAS bend on their insistence for an Islamic state or did DAP bend on its refusal to ever allow an Islamic state, let alone hudud law exist in Malaysia? So the same applies for the 2-state solution. But to change UMNO’s existing two-state policy towards Israel and Palestine, Najib does not even need to debate it in Parliament. He would never dare to. So if Najib is not two-faced and playing cheap politics, then Umno-led Malaysian government should immediately retract its support for a two-state policy,” Tian challenged.
“The same goes for Valentine’s Day and Najib’s Thaipusam visit. Everyone knows PAS wants to ban both because it deems them as against Islam. What about UMNO? Why is it so quiet there? Is Najib’s voice of moderation for show only and once the international participants at the Global Movement for Moderates go home, he immediately transforms into an extremist of the most dangerous kind – intentionally deceitful and bankrupt of morals.”
Malaysia Chronicle
Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger 
Wisma Putra, what is Najib’s stand on the 2-state solution to the Palestinian-Israel conflict? Najib needs some sound advice; otherwise, he will shoot himself in the foot. Can someone in Wisma Putra reading this blog educate us?
Comment deleted . Cybertrooper.
we do expect an amiable solution on the long running Palestinian Isreali conflict. Palestinians have suffered long enough ,Needless to say thousands of lives amongst them women and children killed the past 5 or more decades over a conflict so deadly the UN security council should have intervened and put a stop years ago. Najib and Anwar both being moderate muslim leaders are duty bound to cast aside differences over the matter and pursue an amicable solution for the betterment of the people of both states instead of an obsession so obsolete that is best left to orthodox muslim clerics , the penchant of harping on religous sentiments and poltics of who is the better champion of muslim Palestine.
2 state or 3 state solution?…DO YOU think Anwar’s bothered, as long keeping his closed zionist counterparts and friends abroad happy…and in the process continued undivided support for anwar on the pretext of human right!. Anwar certainly live to the motto “malaysia boleh!”…?
danildaud…can you really expect an amicable solution in this region of conflict?…Obama promised so 4 years ago, but languished in thin air..I bet Romney will keep promising the same during his campaign’s trail…The Middle East’s a “crown jewel”, if mot the”pawns” to american politicians in a “game” of the rich and famous…
James, are you a cybertrooper? I have seen so many attacks on “human rights” by these clowns. You don’t like human rights then just give it away. Just give away your rights.
James are you echoing Anwar’s nemesis. ? If so pls show us the evidence. That someone says Israel’s right has to be observed too is far from being a Zionist supporter. Common decency I would have thought.I have often wondered about this allegation. We see this battle raging on & on between the two at no end. You are playing to it too. Exactly what does Israel or USA wants from tiny M’sia via Anwar?
Anwar should have been more explicit in linking his answer to the 2 state solution. He could have said that we have always believed that security of ALL sides, both the Palestinians and the Israelis can only be assured if both peoples can have a state that they call their own. For this reason we have supported the two-state policy because we believe that this policy is the best one to assure security.Both Israel and Palestine can only be secure if they can live in their own states, with clear recognised borders.But he slipped by giving the impression that the security of the state of Israel is more important than the Palestinian issue as you can see from the clippings of the AWSJ on January 26 and 30 below.
The AWSJ reported the following of his 26 January interview “I support all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel,” said Mr. 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 WSJ further elaborates as follows “Mr. Anwar responded to the question of whether he would open diplomatic ties with Israel by stating his ‘support’ for ‘efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel,’ while at the same time backing the “legitimate rights of the Palestinians.’ He stopped short of saying he would establish diplomatic relations between the two states – what he describes as a ‘tricky’ issue – and stated that any change to the status quo would remain contingent on Israel recognizing the aspirations of the Palestinians. ‘Some refuse to recognize the state of Israel,’ he said, ‘but I think our policy should be clear – protect the security [of Israel] but you must be as firm in protecting the legitimate interests of the Palestinians’.”
Talking to some friends who have been grappling with the Palestinian Issue over many years, I have to come to understand that Malaysia’s policy to support the two-state solution advanced by the Saudis is for Israel to allow a state of Palestine to be created on the 1967 borders and for Palestine to recognise Israel and renounce all violence against the state of Israel.The recognition will include the borders, Israeli settlement, the right of return of the Palestinians outside Palestine and the final status of Jerusalem. In return the Arab states will recognise Israel and establish diplomatic relations.
Wisma’s problem is partly due to the lack of manpower. For some reason, Wisma has never posted good analytical officers to the OIC division. Non- Malays don’t usually get sent to this desk. Most officers in the OIC have been weak. I am told that the KSUs and FMs especially my friend Syed Hamid Albar (whose actions when he was Home Affairs Minister I criticised) used to complain bitterly whenever they have to attend ministerial retreat sessions with the EU on this issue because the intervention notes by Wisma officers were very weak. Mostly these notes would be in a third person form regurgitating the usual stuff about Resolution 242 etc. The problem is that these OIC officers are not passionate at all. They don’t read about the goings on in Palestine, let alone have contacts at the personal level with Palestinians.Furthermore, no one read the Israeli news.
Anyway, the two-state solution was sacrificed on the altar of Arab self- interest. For almost the entire Arab league,the status quo ante was a preferred situation. After all, the Palestinian-Israeli gave them a raison d’etre to continue as the relevant player in the world stage. For Syria, the unresolved situation means that Hezbollah will thrive and through Syria’s tutelage Lebanon will be under control. The unresolved situation also means that the 450,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon can be used not only as a pawn, but also to control Hezbollah (Palestinians are Sunni, while Hezbollah is Shiite). The Fatah-Hamas split is also part of Arab League politics. The Arab play their own game to contain and pin down the smart Palestinians in a state of perpetual crisis.
At the same time the character of the Israeli government has been changing. Today Israel under Prime Benjamin Netanyahu is run by a radical and religious extremist group of settlers who came from Europe.This Israel is not the Israel of even the Oslo accords.It has lost its claims as a democracy. While supporters of Israel commonly tout the Jewish state as the only true democracy in the Middle East, the trend lines sadly are moving in the wrong direction.
This right wing in Israel has been working slowly to throw off all “moral shackles” that has been created as a result of the negotiations with the Palestinians. By forcing the Palestinians to concede that there is no point in negotiating, Israel feels that it is free to do as it wishes. It is no coincidence that Israel is now rattling its sabres loudly. More and more “red lines” are being drawn. First, the Israelis said that if Iran were to acquire a bomb they will strike. Then they said that if Hezbollah were to strike they will retaliate massively.Now they are saying that if any Israeli overseas is harmed, they will hit Lebanon. In other words,Israel is setting up the trip wires for a fight.Iran could be the next target, since the Israelis are paranoid of another nuclear power in the Middle East.
With the way things are going today, I fear there is a great danger of a major war in the Middle East that will consume all the countries in the region. Given the Arab disunity the outcome of such a war would be disastrous. Lebanon would be annihilated and Syria would be splintered. Jerusalem and Al Quds could be victims. The remaining Palestinians would be driven out completely. In other words, a state of Palestine would be beyond reach.So Malaysia’s dithering is not helping. Malaysia is in fact guilty of prolonging the Palestinian plight because it is not helping.This talk that recognising Israel is haram is not only wrong but it also hurts the Palestinian cause directly as we are contributing to an untenable situation.
Israel is a legitimate state however unpalatable it may be for Malaysian Muslims. We cannot say that Israel cannot exist but we can say that we will not recognise Israel until it allows a Palestinian state to be formed within the 1967 borders.
That’s why I think that the two-state solution is MORE urgent than ever. This is where countries like Malaysia and Indonesia can play a major role. We MUST sound the alarm. However the main problem today is the Syrian situation because no one in this region will lift a finger on the Israeli-Palestinian issue until President Bashir Al-Assad is out.This could take a long time. But if negotiations on a two-state solution can be re-started it will also solve the Syrian problem as it will give some room for the regime (not a palatable outcome too).
The US would not be engaged on this issue until Obama gets re-elected in November, 2012. But as the two-state solution hinges on Damascus, it means that Malaysia must convince Russia and China to work with US, the Arab league and Turkey to re-launch Two State Solution 2.0 or TSS 2.0. Since now we are close to the Americans (Najib-Obama friendship), if we are daring enough, we can also be co-sponsors with a country like Norway to start a Kuala Lumpur process. Can Najib, the champion of the Coalition of the Moderates, and Wisma Putra act on this?
I look forward to receiving some reactions from Palestinian and Israeli readers who visit this blog. Let us engage sensibly since the plight of the Palestinians who have been stateless since 1948 needs to be resolved for the sake of peace and security in the Middle East.–Din Merican
Israel is there to stay so I guess the 2 state solution is the best solution there is now. I don’t understand some Malays that I’ve met who are against the 2 state solution. Either they want to totally annihilate Israel or they’d rather the Palestinians be like they are now. Or maybe they just don’t know what’s going on.
Unfortunately the question of a palestinian state has absolutely no impact on the livelihood of Malaysians. If it did then perhaps what they claim Anwar said which is so bad would really matter. This is a non-issue. Don’t be fooled.
This is a comment I received on my e-mail on this subject:
Quote: Now we have to be very CLEAR and PRECISE as to what Anwar told to WSJ and what precisely was WSJ’s question to Anwar.
According to today (February 15)’s The SUN, page 2,” … Anwar was reported to have stated his support for efforts to look after and protect the security of Israel, a step which he said remains contingent on Israel respecting the aspirations of Palestinians”.
That is a sane, courageous and forthright stand from Malaysia’s Leader of the Opposition. More importantly, it reflects the position of our government from the time of the TUNKU – that is, our consistent position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains:
First, ‘support for a just and comprehensive solution to the conflict’, which implicitly recognised and accepts a two-state solution , and
Second, the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces to the 1969 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Even the 2002 official Arab League peace plan put forward by Saudi Arabia is exactly the same as the above. The PLO also accepts the Saudi plan. In a nutshell, security for both entities, Israel and a Palestanian state is not only a long standing Malaysian position, but also that of the Arab League, including the PLO.
Najib has NOT been able to clearly articulate the Malaysian position. He is wishy washy and mischievous, to say the least. Najib’s response is certainly a fudge whereas Anwar is forthright. Unquote
Those with the United States on this issue are still dreaming while events are moving quickly in the region. Many neutral Europens countries that were behind the demise of apartheid are already talking about a one state solution. And if Israel goes ahead with it nuclear strike on Iran we will be that mush closer to that solution.
Excellent analysis on the current situation, Dato.
Just wanna add that Israel is tending towards ‘national socialism’, that ironically resembles the Hilter’s Nazi Party. The newly established kibbutz, despite all protestations are a reflection of a growing confidence in the military, political and economic spheres.
The Arabs are without doubt their own worst enemy. It is paradoxical that the less educated Malays project and imitate them as ‘superior’, revealing a very flawed sense of self-dentity. Threin lies the crux of the issue – political parties that pander to ingrained propaganda and biases, with both sides of the divide unable to come to grips with Reality. PAS and UMNO are both caught in their own web of deceit and reveal the utter bankrupcy of their ‘ideals’.
To engage Israel is not about abandoning the Palestinians. A 2 state solution is the Only way forward. This is a 3 thousand yr old conflict, which none have been able to solve and at best were periods of relative peace.
As for rusman non-issue comment, i think Malaysian Foreign Policy should be intrically with the government we ‘hope’ to choose. Afterall, according to the EU trade stats, we are Israel’s 15th trading partner, with palm oil exported by Felda proxies and alot of our defence soft-ware are developed by the IDF. Any questions?
Hypothesis if Israel strike Iran:
* Iran strike back with “latest” nuclear warhead targeting Tel Aviv?
* NATO Forces will be rushed to Israel defences?
* Israel strike Lebanon and Syria?
* Russia joined forces with China to defence Syria?
* Hizbullah strike back with US and Russian missiles deep into Israel territories?
* Egypt, Libya and Tunisia (under new regime) joined forces with Hamas and PLO to attack Israel?
* The State Of Palestine reborn????
Where’s Uncle Sam? yup…too busy for the Presidential Elections!
Yes Din, that was a good impression of that age-old conflict, especially from a Malaysian perpective.
I have this weird sense that somehow, right wing leaders tend to be better at resolving these types of conflicts.
For example, M Thatcher was instrumental in cementing the Anglo-Irish agreement. Whilst F W de Klerk was the engineer behind the dismantling of Apartheid.
I think maybe it’s because their supporters trust them not to give too much away in negotiations. The leaders can therefore move more to the centre without too much dissent.
Thus, I was hopeful that when Bush Jr became president, he would be the man to do the impossible – with his road map. Alas, 9/11 scuppered that notion.
Conversely, it’s harder for perceived “left” leaders like Obama, who will have to be always on guard not to be seen to give too much away – as it were.
Indeed, the Arab Spring and developments in Syria has greatly added to the powder keg that is the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Malaysia can’t even put her own house in order. And she wants to go put a house fought over for some sixty plus years in order?? Gimme a break!
The Jews think they are the ‘chosen’ people; hence they can push others around.
The evil axis of the weapon industry-politicians in the west feel this conflict is heaven-sent.
The leaders of the Arabs and other Muslim countries will lose a very precious bogeyman if Israel make peace.
Heck… this conflict is good for everyone (except for the inconspicuous ordinary Palestinians caught in the middle).