Pro-Israeli group's attack: Anwar blames Apco

By Rahmah Ghazali - Free Malaysia Today,

FULL REPORT KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today accused international firm Apco Worldwide of influencing the pro-Israeli group Binai B'rith to attack him.
"Apco is very influential; it even got the oldest Jewish body to attack me personally and punish me. The organisation even labelled me as its enemy," he told some 100 supporters who attended a roundtable talk titled “Peace and Justice for Gaza” here.
In a letter dated May 25 to US Foreign Relations Senate Committee president John F Kerry, B'nai B'rith accused Anwar of inciting hatred towards Israel and Zionist-Jews.
The group urged the US to sever ties with Anwar.
Binai B'rith had also expressed concern over Anwar's statements in Parliament in April when he linked Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to Apco, a global image consultant.
The group also took offence with Anwar’s speech, where he claimed that Israeli agents had infiltrated the Bukit Aman police headquarters.
According to Anwar, Apco also submitted an "official report" to International Crisis Group (ICG), an organisation that the opposition leader is involved with, to create the impression that he is anti-Jewish and anti-semitic.
"I expected the attack. Apco even sent an official report to ICG to say I am anti-Jewish," he said.
During the roundtable talk, Anwar also lambasted US President Barack Obama as a “weak” leader.
"Obama is weak. He only said that he 'regretted' the attack (on the Gaza aid flotilla) when we actually need action (from him)," he said.
'Charge Israel in International Criminal Court'
The roundtable talk also passed a five-point resolution, which, among others, urges that Israel be charged in the International Criminal Court in The Hague and pay full compensation to the victims of the attack.
"We also call on Israel to return the humanitarian aid it seized from the Freedom Flotilla, which is meant for the Palestinians in Gaza," said Anwar.
He said that international bodies should ensure the blockade imposed on Gaza by Israel, with the help of Egypt, is removed.
Earlier, PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa suggested that humanitarian missions to Gaza be made an annual event.
He also mooted the idea of making the Muslim month of Rejab (July) a Palestine month to highlight the plight and rights of the Palestinian people, besides promoting an understanding of the issues related to Palestine.
“Rejab should be the ideal month for the event,” he said.
"The month of Rejab is when Prophet Muhammad rose to heaven to meet Allah. On His way there, the prophet stopped by at Al-Aqsa (in Palestine). That is why I think Rejab is significant," he said.
Nasharuddin also said the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), which has not made any move on the Israeli attack, should play an important role in tackling the issue.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said the government should reprimand Israel for raiding the aid ship on international waters.
"We also need to push Obama to fulfil his promises to introduce new foreign policies to solve the long-standing [Middle East] problem," he added.
We need to recognise refugees
Tenaganita chairman Irene Fernandez urged the government to recognise refugees including those from Palestine. Tenaganita is a non-profit organisation which promotes and protects the rights of women and migrant workers.
"When the government doesn't recognise refugees, the latter will not be able to work and survive. We need to recognise them as Malaysia has signed the United Nations Refugee Convention. By doing so, the refugees can live here in peace, free from a painful life in Palestine.
"If Malaysia is committed to the Palestinian struggle, we must ensure the refugees are given recognition,” she said.
Also present at the roundtable talk were PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and deputy president Syed Husin Ali. Among the NGOs in attendance were Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia, Jemaah Islamiah Malaysia, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia, ISA Abolish Movement and Youth4Change.