Inviting Trump amid genocide: Anwar's betrayal of Palestinians

Malaysia has long positioned itself as a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights, condemning Israeli apartheid and advocating for justice in international forums. 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly denounced Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, earning praise from many who see Malaysia as a rare Muslim-majority nation willing to take a firm moral stance.

Yet, recent reports of Anwar inviting US President Donald Trump, a staunch ally of Israel and a key enabler of its genocide in Gaza, raise serious questions about the sincerity of Malaysia’s solidarity with Palestine. 

If Malaysia truly stands against oppression, why is it rolling out the red carpet for a man whose policies directly contributed to Palestinian suffering?

The US is not a neutral bystander in Gaza’s genocide; it is the chief supplier of the bombs, fighter jets, and military aid that Israel uses to massacre Palestinians. 

Since October 2023, the US has approved over US$14 billion in additional military assistance to Israel, including 2,000-pound bombs that have flattened entire neighbourhoods.

Donald Trump, during his presidency, went further than any previous US leader in legitimizing Israeli apartheid by recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the US embassy there, violating international law, endorsing illegal settlements by declaring that they “don’t harm peace”, cutting aid to Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), worsening humanitarian conditions, and brokering the so-called Abraham Accords which rewarded Arab dictators for normalising ties with Israel while Palestinians remained under occupation.

Trump’s policies were not just symbolic, they directly enabled Israel’s current escalation. His administration’s unwavering support emboldened far-right Israeli leaders to accelerate ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank.

Anwar has rightly condemned Israel’s genocide, calling it a "shame on humanity" and urging Muslim nations to take stronger action. But if Malaysia is serious about isolating Israel and its backers, why invite one of Israel’s biggest supporters?

This inconsistency undermines Malaysia’s moral authority. If we believe that Israel is committing genocide, and that the US is complicit, then we must apply consistent principles:

By inviting Trump, Malaysia sends a dangerous message: that rhetoric about Palestine is just political posturing, not a real commitment to justice.

If Anwar’s government truly stands with Palestine, it must take concrete actions, not just issue condemnations.

Furthermore, Malaysia should not legitimise a figure complicit in war crimes but instead, lead a global campaign to boycott and sanction Israel, including pushing for Asean to cut ties with this murderous regime. 

We must pressure the US to stop arming Israel and lobby the Global South nations to demand an arms embargo.

The people of Gaza have endured 20 months of relentless bombing, starvation, and mass displacement. Israel has killed nearly 60,000 people and wounded more than 138,000 Palestinians so far, including 15,000 children. The least Malaysia can do is not honour the men who armed their killers.

If Anwar is serious about Palestine, he must prove it, not with speeches, but with actions that match Malaysia’s principles. Inviting Trump is not just hypocritical; it is a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

Malaysia must choose: Will it stand on the right side of history, or will it shake hands with the architects of genocide?

Kua Kia Soong is a former MP and a director of rights group Suaram.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.