Malaysia Must Respond With Principle to India’s Pro Israel Policy

Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations) : MAPIM
Space U8, Eco Mall, Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
azmiabdulhamid58@gmail.com
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PRESS STATEMENT

Kuala Lumpur | 27 February 2026

MAPIM views with grave concern the latest development in which India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, openly declared that India stands firmly with Israel during his official visit to Israel and his address at the Knesset, with a clear focus on strengthening trade and defence cooperation, while making no mention of the immense suffering of the Palestinian people who continue to endure catastrophe in Gaza.

This development comes at a time when India Israel strategic relations are being deepened further through defence cooperation, technology transfer, and renewed momentum towards a free trade agreement.

MAPIM stresses: Malaysia must not remain silent or issue vague responses.

Malaysia must act with principle, consistency, and a firm commitment to international justice.

Principles Malaysia Must Uphold

1. Justice for Palestine is a principle, not a selective concern
   Malaysia has a long record of supporting Palestinian rights and rejecting occupation. In the face of mass destruction and continuing atrocities in Gaza, any moral normalisation of the occupier amounts to a betrayal of humanity.
2. Reject international double standards
   If the world insists on compliance with international law, that principle must apply to all. Any position that turns a blind eye to large scale civilian deaths, including women and children, is unacceptable.
3. Prevent the expansion of regional war
   Escalation driven by geopolitical calculations will only multiply civilian suffering and threaten regional stability. Malaysia must firmly reject narratives that justify war and aggression. MAPIM’s Views and Recommendations to the Government of Malaysia

MAPIM urges the Government of Malaysia to consider the following diplomatic and policy steps:

1. A clear and firm official government statement
   Putrajaya should issue a strong statement that Malaysia rejects any pro Israel position that denies Palestinian rights, and that Malaysia calls for a permanent ceasefire, protection of civilians, and accountability for war crimes.
2. A formal diplomatic demarche to the Government of India
   Malaysia should convey, through Wisma Putra, a principled message urging India to return to a balanced position, respect Palestinian rights, and stop granting political legitimacy to occupation. This is critical as India Israel cooperation is increasingly framed as a strategic alliance spanning security and defence.
3. Elevate the matter through multilateral platforms
   Malaysia should mobilise coordinated action at the UN, OIC, ASEAN, and with partners across the Global South to challenge Israel’s impunity and strengthen international accountability mechanisms.
4. Review sensitive cooperation that risks normalising the occupation ecosystem
   Economic, technological, defence, and security cooperation that carries supply chain risks linked to Israel must be assessed transparently. As India Israel defence and technology cooperation expands, Malaysia must not be drawn indirectly into frameworks that reinforce occupation and injustice.
5. Strengthen people to people diplomacy and humanitarian solidarity
   The government should support civil society efforts in public education, peaceful advocacy, and sustained humanitarian assistance. Malaysia must lead with moral clarity, not wait for geopolitical currents to dictate its stance.

MAPIM respects Malaysia India bilateral relations in the context of economics and regional cooperation.

However, such relations must never be built at the cost of justice and human dignity. Malaysia must affirm that international friendship must align with a commitment to human rights, international law, and the defence of the oppressed.

Justice for Palestine, protection of Baitul Maqdis, and rejection of war are the true tests of principle for all nations that claim to uphold peace.

Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President,