TEL AVIV - IDF soldiers delayed former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at a border crossing before allowing him to enter the Palestinian Authority, sources at the former leader’s entourage charge.
Mahathir, who arrived from Jordan Sunday for meetings with senior Palestinian officials, said guards at the Allenby Bridge humiliated him and his associates and performed humiliating searches through their belongings.
Sources close to Mahathir said the delay caused by guards interfered with the visit’s schedule. Mahathir was slated to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and other officials, and also visit the Jenin refugee camp, the sources said
Mahathir and his entourage were finally allowed entry after a five-hour delay. The former prime minister then hurried to a short meeting with Qureia, and later continued to the Jenin refugee camp.
History of controversy
Mahathir, who quit almost two years ago, is known as a harsh critic of Israel’s policy in the West Bank and Gaza and was even charged with uttering anti-Semitic remarks on several occasions.
In a 2003 Islamic conference, Mahathir stirred a row after saying the world’s 1.3 billion Muslims must defeat the Jews, who rule the world. The comments drew harsh condemnation from Jerusalem and the White House, but a European decision to condemn the remarks was thwarted by France.
On another occasion, Mahathir told al-Jazeera he believes the real objective behind the Iraq war is to protect Israel, saying the Jewish state removes any element that can threaten it in the Middle East.
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