In a letter sent to the State Department, the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations, and the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs, B’nai B’rith International decried anti-Semitic statements made by Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and implored U.S. officials to cut ties with the leader.
“[Ibrahim’s] frequent criticisms of the government of Prime Minister Najib Razak are infused with anti-Jewish and anti-Israel slanders, such as his April 30 assertion that Israeli spies are ‘directly involved in the running of the government,’” the letter reads. “On another occasion he alleged the presence of ‘Israeli intelligence personnel in the Police IT unit.’”
Ibrahim has also accused Jews of controlling a public relations firm hired by the Malaysian prime minister and claimed that he has evidence of Israeli influence on the Malaysian government.
“In light of the role that Ibrahim has played in the resurgence of anti-Semitic polemics in Malaysian politics,” the letter continues, “we ask that U.S. officials suspend their ties with Anwar Ibrahim. A purveyor of anti-Jewish hatred such as Ibrahim should not enjoy the measure of legitimacy that a positive relationship with the United States would confer upon him.”