Sunday, February 26, 2012

Anwar Met Hamas? When Did Who Say What?

It all began with his statement to the Wall Street Journal:

"I support all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel," said Mr. Anwar, although he stopped short of saying he would open diplomatic ties with the Jewish state, a step which he said remains contingent on Israel respecting the aspirations of Palestinians. Malaysia has consistently refrained from establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, although limited commercial ties exist between private companies in the two countries.
Full article here




From his statement above, it can be clearly seen that anwar is a proponent of the "two-state solution", which has been championed by the west, whereby 2 states will be recognized, Palestine and Israel.

Anwar was quoted as saying that he had explained to pas spiritual leader, n.ajis what he had explained to the leader of Hamas, Khaled Mashal during his meeting with Khaled and Sheikh Yusuf Qardhawi.


In short he stated that he met Khaled Mashaal and Khaled understood that Israel will only be recognized once all the contingents or pre-requisites are honored, or obeyed.

It should be a nice ending with anwar meeting the top leader of Hamas and Qardawi, we were even treated with nice pictures of anwar and the two leaders. In fact, all of these would be a very sweet ending to the whole "Anwar-pro-Israel" statement that he made to the Wall Street Journal.


Anwar posted on his blog, 2 pictures of him meeting Khaled Mashal and Sheikh Dr Yusof Qardawi but kept mum on what were discussed. Other pro-anwar blogs followed suit with the pictures, but with no explanation. It's very strange that no media in Palestine and the world reported or mentioned this meeting in their newspapers, television, radio and/or their on-line publications. We spent hours searching the net for any news on the meeting itself and/or what they discussed about.

All searches on the net on anwar meeting Hamas leaders only return to anwar's blog. So, how come only anwar's blog claimed that he met Khaled Mashal without anydescription of what transpired? To say that all other medias in the world were on leave is highly speculative. When exactly did they meet?

We find it bizarre: when anwar stated his infamous remarks of supporting the security of Israel, it was reported on a global scale. The Islamic world views it as a sort of a death wish on anwar's part. Anwar should be pleased, after years of self proclaiming himself as a statesman, he finally got a reaction like one. The man stirred the Muslim world, and yet when he meets Hamas leaders, nobody bothers to report on the situation. In fact, no where can be found that Hamas met, discussed or even agreed with anwar's stand.

So, what did anwar claim he told n.ajis? Basically, what he claimed that a view shared by Hamas and himself: Anwar said he had explained that his stand on Israel is consistent with that of the Palestinian political factions Hamas and Fatah.

"I feel good as I could explain. In the end I said I follow the desires of Hamas and Fatah and what was negotiated among them in Doha two weeks ago," he said.


Anwar also, in the video above, quoted Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority representing Hamas:


“If Israel withdraws to the ’67 borders, then we will establish a peace in stages... Number one, we will establish a situation of stability and calm which will bring safety for our people — what (Hamas founder) Sheikh (Ahmed) Yassin called a long-term hudna (truce). If Israel declares that it will give the Palestinian people a state and give them back all their rights, then we are ready to recognize them.”


Anwar also claims that the Hamas leader is clear on his stand and understands it.


We have searched media archives on the net looking for this, as we could not find this stand made by either Hamas, but we did find that the quote was made by Ismail Haniyeh in 2006, just days before becoming the Prime Minister, which was reported by The Washington Post. (An copy still available here)

However, a day later, Ismail Haniyeh made a statement that Washington Post misquoted him; that he never made any statement or has any intention of recognizing Israel. Full article here 


Alleviating anwar's problem, on 11th of February 2012, while in Iran, Ismail Haniyeh announced that Hamas will never recognize Israel, full article here 

How could anwar claim that what he has explained is the stand that Hamas took, when Ismail Haniyeh himself refuted it? Whose stand did he share, Hamas or Washington Post? How come he used a refuted 6-year old interview as his basis?

Does N.ajis share his view on the "two state solution"? This report clears the air, here

So, anwar, when did who say what? His interview in the video above clearly shows his support for a two state solution, a stand that Hamas clearly condemn. Did anwar actually explain his stand to Sheikh Dr Yusoff Qardhawi? If he did, I'm surprised anwar got back to Malaysia fully intact. Here's part of a profile on Qardhawi:


Qaradawi similarly expressed his desire to see a "conquered" Jerusalem in a January 24, 2011, fatwa in which he negated Jewish attachment to Jerusalem and stated that it is the duty of Muslims to"defend" Jerusalem with "their lives, their money and all they possess, or else they will be subject to Allah's punishment."


This fatwa is part of Qardhawi's long record of inciting violence against Jews and Israel. During a sermon that aired on the Arabic satellite channel Al-Jazeera TV on January 28, 2009, Qaradawi told his audience, "I will shoot Allah's enemies, the Jews, and they will throw a bomb at me, and thus I will seal my life with martyrdom." In another sermon on January 9, 2009, Qaradawi lashed out at Jews, including calling on God to "kill them, down to the very last one."


He has also refused to dialogue with Jews. Qardawi declined to participate in the 8th annual conference organized by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue because of the participation of Jews.


In a statement released by Qaradawi's office, he reportedly said, "How can we conduct a dialogue in a time when they seize lands, shed blood, burn farms, and demolish houses? Palestine's conundrum has to be resolved first before we sit together at the same table."
(Reference taken from Dr. MIM, here)

Even anwar's attempt to have the contingents honored before giving recognition to the state of Israel contravenes the 1988 fatwa issued by 66 mufti that any action that gave recognition to Israel's existence is an act that opposes Islam, or does anwar really not bothered? Doesn't his action also swipe Sheikh Yusoff Qardhawi in his face?


Anwar claimed that his stand is in-line with Hamas and Fatah's stand when he met the groups in Doha two weeks earlier. The Hamas-Fatah Deal signed and endorsed in Doha has nothing about a "two-state solution" nor any mention or intention of recognizing Israel as a state. The Doha Agreement by Hamas and Fatah is a move to reconciliate both parties after years of conflict. (Read here) In fact, check out the Hamas Charter here. No where we can find anything on the terms and recognition.

For Hamas and Fatah to reach and seal the agreement in Doha, they would have to be unanimous in their stand and secisions. Any terms or attempts to recognize Israel as a state in a slightest way will end up with more hostility between the two groups. Do you think any of these 2 share the stand that anwar claim?

What was the point of accusing Malaysian media of twisting his statement on his support for Israel by deleting the word "contingent" when anwar himself twisted and used a misquoted statement made 6 years ago by Ismail Haniyeh to The Washington Post, and disguising it to make it look as if it is the stand stated by Hamas?

Despite all that anwar claimed, we understand that the Prime Minister of Palestine Authority, Ismail Haniyeh was outraged and saddened by anwar's support to Israel's security. How did we know that? Well, Ismail Haniyeh was told by YB Nasharuddin Mat Isa,when he met with Haniyeh in Kuwait. Nasharuddin was there as Pengerusi Pentadbiran Yayasan al-Quds Malaysia, a Malaysian foundation in aid of the Palestinian plight, chaired by YB Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

Let's simplify all of this chronologically, so that even Mahfuz can understand:

2006 - Ismail Haniyeh was quoted by Washington Post saying:

“If Israel withdraws to the ’67 borders, then we will establish a peace in stages... Number one, we will establish a situation of stability and calm which will bring safety for our people — what (Hamas founder) Sheikh (Ahmed) Yassin called a long-term hudna (truce). If Israel declares that it will give the Palestinian people a state and give them back all their rights, then we are ready to recognise them.”


2006 (a day later) - Ismail Haniyeh refuted the interview, saying that Washington Post misquoted him as he never made any statement saying that he will recognize Israel as a state.

26 January 2012 - Anwar made his famour remark on his support for Israel - and starts using the Washington Post misquoted article as the basis of his stand

Early February 2012 - Hamas and Fatah signs and endorses an agreement in Doha, reconciling after years of conflict. Agreement stipulates only ruling and administrative details with nothing pointing to any stages or intentions of recognizing Israel as a state whatsoever.

11 February 2012 - Anwar Ibrahim's blog released 2 pictures showing him meeting the Hamas Leader, Khalid Mashal and Sheikh Dr Yusoff Qardhawi. No details were given, and no other media in the world reported the meeting. Anwar's supporters mostly assume and claim that this is the meeting where anwar explained his stand, which is purportedly "in line" with the stand taken by Hamas on Israel.

11 February 2012 - Ismail Haniyeh, who was visiting Iran, announced that Hamas will never recognize Israel, putting more holes into anwar's claims


14 February 2012 - Ismail Haniyeh and Hamas officials conveyed their shock and dismay to anwar's support for Israel through Nasharuddin Mat Isa, MP for Bachok. Message was conveyed to him in Kuwait.

21 February 2012 - Anwar met with nik aziz, and during interview, he reiterated his stand, quoting almost all the points based on the Washington Post misreporting. In fact, he used the misquoted Washington Post report to justify his stand.


Again, anwar, when did who say what? Why was it so difficult for you to retract the Israel support statement? I guess to be the one-eyed's bitch is better than being a group of displaced and oppressed people who are fighting with their lives for their freedom. Why? Hey, the one-eyed's organizations can one day make him a Prime Minister!

It seems that n.ajis distanced himself from anwar's statement, and yet pas remains in the totally misleading pakatan. According to anwar, the pas spiritual leader accepted his stand. One question arises: does anybody in pas ever make references and research over what anwar stated? If anybody has any reference that Hamas did actually make their stand as what anwar claim, please send me a link.

Looking at how the religious ones are abandoning pas, I wonder if n.ajis will be the solitary figure to demand retractions and apologies from anwar over the Israel remark? Or keep himself quiet in fear of reprisals from anwar followers in pas? 


Anwar might need to explain more, such as when was his meeting with the Hamas leader and maybe some clarification from them. In the meantime, can we send somebody to meet up with Hamas and/or Ismail Haniyeh and clarify anwar's story...or shall I say, work of fiction?

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