Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad slammed Muslim countries on Sunday for their failure to act against Israel for its killings of Palestinians, in a speech at the Islamic summit in Qatar.
"Sadly, Muslim countries, representing more than a third of the membership of the United Nations, watch helplessly as Israel continues with impunity and arrogance to kill innocent Palestinians," he told the summit.
"Such is the dire state of Muslim countries that we are unable to respond effectively to the challenge posed by the cowardly acts of Israel," he said on behalf of the Asian group in the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
"Not only are the Palestinians under assault, so are Muslim honor and dignity," the Malaysian leader warned.
"Muslim countries cannot just watch Israelis killing Palestinians with impunity. Surely we can do something about it?"
Mahathir, addressing the three-day OIC summit at which six Asian heads of state were taking part, called for "no compromises" on Palestinian claims to the disputed holy city of Jerusalem as the capital of an independent state of their own.
"We should support all efforts including those made by the UN at achieving a peaceful settlement and at rescuing the peace process in the interest of regional peace and security," he added -- DOHA (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
