PETALING JAYA: Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (pic) has stood firm with the country's decision to ban Israeli participation in international sporting events.
In an Instagram post, Syed Saddiq provided examples and situations from the past, all ending in the same question - "where was Israel then?"
"Malaysia should not be a complicit to a brutal and inhumane regime. If South Africa can be banned from the Olympics for its Apartheid regime, Malaysia as a sovereign country has the right (to ban Israel)," he said in the Instagram post on Friday (Jan 18).
Malaysia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and Israeli athletes have been barred from the World Para Swimming championships to be held in Sarawak in July.
On Thursday (Jan 17), it was reported that Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon called on the International Paralympic Committee, which is organising the competition, to change the venue if it cannot persuade Malaysia to lift the edict.
“This is shameful and totally opposes the Olympic spirit.
"Israel condemns the decision, inspired no doubt by Malaysia PM Mahathir’s rabid anti-Semitism,” Nahshon said in a statement.
Swimmers from some 70 countries are expected to compete in the July 29-Aug 4 championships in Sarawak, an important milestone towards next year’s Tokyo Paralympics.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said he is "deeply disgusted" with the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry of accusing Malaysia for opposing the Olympic spirit and labelling Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as anti-Semitic.
He said that for more than half a century, Israel has continued to disregard the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, while committing inhumane policies and practices that are in clear violation of international laws.
In an Instagram post, Syed Saddiq provided examples and situations from the past, all ending in the same question - "where was Israel then?"
"Malaysia should not be a complicit to a brutal and inhumane regime. If South Africa can be banned from the Olympics for its Apartheid regime, Malaysia as a sovereign country has the right (to ban Israel)," he said in the Instagram post on Friday (Jan 18).
Malaysia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and Israeli athletes have been barred from the World Para Swimming championships to be held in Sarawak in July.
On Thursday (Jan 17), it was reported that Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon called on the International Paralympic Committee, which is organising the competition, to change the venue if it cannot persuade Malaysia to lift the edict.
“This is shameful and totally opposes the Olympic spirit.
"Israel condemns the decision, inspired no doubt by Malaysia PM Mahathir’s rabid anti-Semitism,” Nahshon said in a statement.
Swimmers from some 70 countries are expected to compete in the July 29-Aug 4 championships in Sarawak, an important milestone towards next year’s Tokyo Paralympics.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said he is "deeply disgusted" with the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry of accusing Malaysia for opposing the Olympic spirit and labelling Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as anti-Semitic.
He said that for more than half a century, Israel has continued to disregard the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, while committing inhumane policies and practices that are in clear violation of international laws.
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