Kuala lumpur: Malaysia has once again formally reaffirmed to the United States (US) government its longstanding policy of not recognising Israel, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said. He stated that Malaysia's Ambassador to the US, Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, had been summoned by the US State Department to explain the country's position and had informed the department that the policy was not new. Mohamad emphasized that the matter was being handled appropriately by the Malaysian government.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad highlighted that it has always been Malaysia's policy to not recognize the State of Israel or the Zionist regime. He mentioned an incident involving an individual with dual citizenship, US and Israel, who entered Malaysia using a US passport. Upon discovering his Israeli citizenship, Malaysia requested his departure. Mohamad made these remarks after a meet-and-greet session with Barisan Nasional's Chembong candidate Datuk Zaifulbahri Idris, held in conjunction with the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated that Malaysia would continue to bar Israeli citizens from entering the country despite objections raised by eight US members of Congress. Anwar stated that the policy is rooted in Malaysia's commitment to defending the rights of the people and opposing the continued oppression, aggression, and killing of Palestinians in Gaza.

Earlier, eight Democratic members of Congress wrote to the US Secretary of State expressing dissatisfaction with Anwar's decision to expel an Israeli citizen from Malaysia. The lawmakers included Greg Landsman, Josh Gottheimer, Jimmy Panetta, Dan Goldman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Jared Moskowitz, Brad Sherman, and Jake Auchincloss.