Malaysia and Israel trade barbs over Paralympics

A war of words has erupted between Israel and Malaysia, days after the Southeast Asian country stood defiant on its decision to ban Israeli participation in all sporting events it hosts.

Israel on Thursday condemned Malaysia’s stance as “shameful” and emblematic of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s “rabid anti-Semitism”.

That sharp statement saw a swift retort from Malaysia late on Friday, with Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah declaring he was “deeply disgusted” by the comments from a spokesperson of Israel’s foreign ministry.

“For more than half a century, Israel has continued to disregard the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, while committing inhumane policies and practices that are in clear violation of international laws,” Saifuddin said in a three-paragraph statement.

“Israel has no right to talk about moral values when they themselves are the exact opposite.”