Channels

Australia, Malaysia trade words over Israel embassy shift

SYDNEY -- A top Australian official seized Friday on past comments from Malaysia's prime minister seen as anti-Semitic, amid a diplomatic war of words over the possibility of Canberra moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

 

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad raised the potential embassy switch in a meeting with Australian counterpart Scott Morrison in Singapore on Thursday, later telling reporters such a move could increase the threat of terrorism.

 

"I pointed out that in dealing with terrorism, one has to know the causes," Mahathir said. "Adding to the cause for terrorism is not going to be helpful."

 

Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg responded Friday, saying Canberra would make its own decisions. Frydenberg, the son of a Holocaust survivor, also pointed out past comments that the leader of Muslim-majority Malaysia has made about Jewish people.

 

"He has called Jews 'hooked-nosed people.' He has questioned the number of people that have been killed in the Holocaust. He banned 'Schindler's List' as a movie being shown," Frydenberg told reporters in Melbourne.

 

Mahathir also challenged historical accounts that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, saying the figure was 4 million.

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.16.18, 10:47