PAS says its stand on Zionist state remains

Feb 22: Following Tuesday's meeting between PAS Murshidul Am Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and PKR de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, the Islamic party said its stand on Israel had not changed, while rejecting Western plans to impose the so-called 'road map' on the Palestinian people.

In a statement issued late this evening by PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who also joined the meeting in Kuala Lumpur, PAS called on any future plan for a Palestinian state to take into account the views of Hamas in view of the fact that the resistance group had the mandate of the Palestinian people.

"Any future plan for a Palestinian state must take into account the views of Hamas which has won the mandate of the Palestinian people.

"PAS rejects the so-called 'road map' sponsored by Western powers and others who have imposed their 'road map' on Palestine and the rest of the world," said Tuan Ibrahim, referring to the draft plan first announced by former US president George Bush.

In the statement, Tuan Ibrahim said PAS regarded the security of the Palestinian people as top priority, and urged all quarters to speak in defence of the Palestinian people under the Zionist occupation.

As such, the statement also condemned the Barisan Nasional government for its "doublespeak" in the Palestinian issue, pointing out that the government had trade and diplomatic ties with the Israeli regime in spite of its condemnation of Anwar.

The meeting between Nik Aziz and Anwar was held following criticism over latter's statement last month in the Wall Street Journal that he would support "support all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel", triggering an intense campaign by UMNO-owned mainstream media to depict Anwar as pro-Israel. Anwar had since taken pains to explain that his stand was contingent upon Israel's acceptance of Palestinian demands, including a recognition for a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

According to Tuan Ibrahim, the meeting was to give Anwar an opportunity to make clear his stance.

The full statement follows:

The meeting between Murshidul Am Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and Parti Keadilan Rakyat de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, held at PNB Darby Park, Kuala Lumpur on February 21, 2012, was intended to give Anwar an opportunity to explain his statement in the Wall Street Journal last January.

As has been stated by the Murshidul Am, PAS wishes to reaffirm the party's stand to join in solidarity with Palestinians fighting for the return of their lands confiscated by the Israeli regime. 

Palestinian lives will remain a foremost agenda; their lives, belongings and land have been trampled upon by Israel. All quarters must commit themselves to the security of the Palestinian people from the wretched ways of the Israeli regime.

It must be stressed yet again, that any future plan for a Palestinian state must take into account the views of Hamas which has won the mandate of the Palestinian people.

PAS rejects the so-called 'road map' sponsored by Western powers and others who have imposed their 'road map' on Palestine and the rest of the world.

We hear the cries, and feel the anguish and tears of the people in Palestine in this struggle to free their country.

We also condemn the continued doublespeak of the BN government which has been trading and having ties with the Israeli regime, while Palestinians are killed and persecuted on a daily basis.

Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man,
PAS Information Chief

Related:

Nik Aziz reaffirms stand on Israel's illegality, flays 'hypocrites'

Anwar's explanation and the stand that Hamas never took