KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given recognition to Israel by referring to its security needs as a state despite Malaysia's strong stand against the country, said Kedah Umno deputy liaision committee chairman Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

He added that Malaysia had no diplomatic relations with Israel and did not recognise it as a sovereign state.

“It is a big difference from someone recognising Israel's rights on security, because once you say that, it means you are also recognising it as a state,” he said after attending the Malaysian Business Global Forum here yesterday.

Mukhriz, who is International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister, said Anwar's remarks had put Malaysia in a bad light, in particular when the Government's views were clear and consistent over its Israel policy since its was introduced by Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Anwar had reportedly said during an interview with The Wall Street Journal that he supported “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel”.

On Saturday, Anwar clarified that his remarks on Israel supported a “two-state solution” with Palestine, which was recognised by Malaysia and the United Nations.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin insisted that Anwar's statement had clearly stated his pro-Israel stand despite the latter's clarification that 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” as stated in the article.

“As far as Umno Youth is concerned, Anwar's attempts to cover line' (cover up) are unsuccessful. His stance is clearly pro-Israel. Otherwise, he would have retracted his statement,” Khairy said via Twitter.

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