Politics · Malaysia Bureau
West must leverage influence to halt Israeli settlements, Anwar says
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on Western nations to use their political and economic leverage to end Israeli settlements in the West Bank, welcoming a joint statement from 12 foreign ministers addressing the issue.
LSN Malaysia ·
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged Western powers to exert their considerable influence to halt what he termed illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, describing international action on the matter as long overdue.
The Malaysian leader's remarks came following a coordinated statement issued by foreign ministers from 12 countries outlining measures aimed at curbing settlement expansion. Anwar welcomed the diplomatic initiative but emphasised that stronger and more decisive action from the international community was necessary to address the decades-long issue.
The settlements, built on Palestinian territory and considered illegal under international law by most nations, remain one of the most contentious aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their continued expansion has repeatedly stalled peace negotiations and drawn criticism from regional and international observers.
Anwar's intervention reflects Malaysia's long-standing position on Palestinian rights and the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. The statement by the 12 foreign ministers represents a rare show of unified diplomatic pressure on the settlement issue, though implementation of any proposed measures would likely require sustained commitment from participating nations.
The prime minister's comments underscore the expectation among regional leaders that developed nations possess sufficient leverage—including economic partnerships and diplomatic channels—to influence Israeli policy on the matter.