Columbia University professor Joseph Massad rejected accusations that criticism of Israel was antisemitic, arguing that Israel did not represent Jews worldwide. (Bernama pic) PUTRAJAYA: Columbia University professor Joseph Massad has praised Malaysia for refusing to establish diplomatic relations with Israel despite what he described as US pressure on Muslim-majority countries to do so. Speaking at a press conference after delivering a public lecture titled "Muslim Identity in a Globalised World" here, Massad said Malaysia’s decision should not be seen as hostility towards Jews.
“Not having diplomatic relations with a genocidal state is a statement against genocide; it is not against Jews,” said Massad, a professor of modern Arab politics and intellectual history. His remarks came after eight US lawmakers urged secretary of state Marco Rubio to review Washington’s security and economic ties with Malaysia, and consider suspending US military training funding, following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks that Israeli citizens found in the country would be deported. Massad, a Jordanian, rejected accusations that criticism of Israel was antisemitic, arguing that Israel did not represent Jews worldwide.
“The majority of the Jews of the world do not live in Israel and have not chosen Israel to speak for them,” he said. He accused Israel of falsely claiming to represent all Jews, saying this claim, rather than criticism of the Israeli government, was antisemitic. Massad also said the US had pressured Muslim-majority and Arab countries to normalise ties with Israel.
“There has been a huge amount of pressure by the US, the major sponsor of the genocidal state of Israel, to force and coerce Muslim-majority countries and Arab countries to normalise relations with Israel. “So I want to say I commend Malaysia and Malaysian politicians and the government for refusing to obey such directives by the United States,” he said. Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, who was also present at the lecture, said he agreed with Massad's response to the allegations levelled against Malaysia.
Zambry also said Malaysia could not be expected to accept Israel's actions.
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