(Malaysiakini) - Under fire over his recent remarks on Israel in the international press, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today met PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to clarify his case.
Met after the approximately 40-minute meeting, Anwar said he had explained that his stand on Israel is consistent with that of the Palestinian political factions Hamas and Fatah.
"I feel good as I could explain. In the end I said I follow the desires of Hamas and Fatah and what was negotiated among them in Doha two weeks ago," he said.
Anwar said he also told Nik Aziz and PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, also present at the meeting in Kuala Lumpur, that his statement had come with "contingents".
The contingents, which he claimed to have also explained to Hamas leaders, are:
1. Withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Palestinian territory;
2. A stop on all acts of violence by Israel;
3. Lifting of the blockade on Gaza; and
4. Acknowledgment of Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.
"Hamas leader Khalid Mashaal told me, ‘Brother Anwar, I know the word contingent’. It is clear," Anwar said at the lobby of PNB Darby Park Executive Suites in Jalan Binjai, where the meeting was held.
‘Differences with PAS' stand'
Anwar, however, acknowledged that PAS takes a "stronger" stand against Israel.
"The difference is in the emphasis. PAS is of the view not to have any sort of recognition of Israel... not even negotiation," he said, noting that it is up to Hamas and Fatah to conduct negotiations.
He also hit out at political foe Umno, which he said has taken a "hypocritical" stand on Israel by "claiming (to have) no relations but (still) trades with Israel".
"The PM of Malaysia met with the PM of the state of Israel. The foreign minister and the defence minister met with the Israel foreign and defence ministers," he said, adding that he has never met an Israeli counterpart.
When asked, he said he would not take legal action against the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) for the report, as "it stated the contingency, unlike Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia and TV3", which he claimed reported only part of his statement.
The WSJ had reported that Anwar said that he supports Israel's security.
Anwar added that he would continue to explain the matter to the people, as he had done in Gombak last night and in Sembrong. Johor, on Sunday night.
Neither Nik Aziz nor Tuan Ibrahim addressed the media today.
