Award-winning Polish swim coach Bart Kizierowski vows not to train Malaysian athletes if Israelis are banned from their country.
Even after the embarrassment of being disqualified from hosting such an uplifting international event, Malaysian officials were unrepentant and stood firm in their resolute hatred for Israel.
Mahathir said that Malaysia has the right “to voice our own feelings and to have our own policies.”
Malaysia’s Deputy Sports Minister Sim Hee Kyung reportedly said that the decision was “a means to protest against the continuous Israeli oppression of the Palestinian people.”
In a statement issued by the social democratic politician Michaele Engelmeier, she called for a cancellation of sports events in Malaysia.
"It is my right to criticize Israel for its policy regarding the Palestinians and say they do many bad things."
Swimmers from some 70 countries are expected to compete at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in the eastern state of Sarawak from July 29-Aug. 4.
Will Israeli diplomat David Roet’s visit be a one-time anomaly or the start of a new beginning in Israeli-Malaysian relations?
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his ruling party have been burnishing their Islamic credentials with the aim of boosting their chances in the general election.
Social media users in Muslim-majority Malaysia vowed to boycott US companies, such as McDonald's Corp, following US President Trump's decision.
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