Malaysia never established diplomatic ties with Israel, PM

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Friday Malaysia has never established diplomatic ties with Israel and does not plan to do so until the Palestinian issue is resolved, Malaysian news agency BERNAMA reported.

He said those saying that the two countries had such relations were actually spreading lies and such action should not be resorted to, especially during the Muslim fasting month.

"I wish to say here, and please convey to your friends throughout the university, that Malaysia does not have ties with Israel," he said when fielding questions at a dialogie session with students of a university here.

Dr Mahathir however said it did not mean that he cannot write to the Israeli leaders or for them to write to him. "It's true (Benjamin) Netanhayu and (Ehud) Barak have written to me, asking Malaysia to establish ties with Israel. The reply that we gave is that for as long as the Palestinian problem is not resolved, we will not consider such a possibility," he said.

A student has asked Dr Mahathir to explain whether or not Malaysia recognizes Israel as a nation and bilateral ties between the two countries. In his response, Dr Mahathir said, "I believe you are saying that Malaysia has ties with Israel because you are under the belief that we have ties with Israel. If you believe that we do not have ties, then surely you have no need to ask. But from the question, it shows that you believe we do have ties with Israel."

Dr Mahathir said that he did send a congratulatory message to Barak when he was elected prime minister but he was doing so with the hope that Israel would respect its agreement with Palestine.

"But it is clear they do not respect the agreement...that is why negotiations have ceased," he said. The prime minister said that Malaysia's stand (not to recognize Israel) was clear even though some Islamic nations with a bigger Muslim population had established ties with Israel.

He said that Malaysia always strives to struggle for the right of the Palestinians at international fora and had been bold in doing so.