The PAS Ulama Council led by Nik Aziz had last week called on the PKR de facto leader to retract his remarks or sue the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) if it had misquoted him.
Anwar said Nik Aziz “listened to what I had to say well” when asked if the PAS spiritual leader accepted his stand on the matter.
“Tok Guru listened... PAS’s stand is different. They do not accept any terms of negotiations with Israel,” the former deputy prime minister told reporters this morning.
The Opposition leader said he explained to the Kelantan mentri besar the context of his remarks when he told WSJ he supported “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel”.
“He (Nik Aziz) gave advice, I listened well, my remarks were different from (what) Umno (has been saying).
“It was based on conditions,” said Anwar, referring to his explanation to WSJ that his support for Israel’s security was dependent on the Jewish state not thwarting the Palestinians’ ambitions for statehood.
Last month, WSJ had quoted Anwar as saying in an interview that he supported “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel.”
But the newspaper said Anwar stopped short of saying he would open diplomatic ties with the Jewish state, a step the former deputy prime minister said remains contingent on Israel respecting the aspirations of Palestinians.
He had come under heavy fire from Umno before the PAS Ulama Council also demanded a retraction.
“I support the stand of Hamas, Fatah in demanding for the freedom of the Palestinians,” said Anwar.
He pointed out that despite attacks against him over his remarks on Israel, he had never ever met Israel’s top leaders in any capacity.
“It was Umno who met the Israeli prime minister, defence minister went to see Israel counterpart. It is also Umno that conducts trade with Israel. Why not address this?” he asked.
