n the 23^rd of January 2013, the Prime Minister of Malaysia paid, what was described as ‘a humanitarian visit' to Gaza City to show ‘solidarity and steadfast support of Malaysia and its people to the Palestinian struggle.' He was received by the Gaza Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh who declared that "this is an Islamic declaration for breaking the Israeli siege on Gaza." In his speech, Najib "admired the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and considered the struggle as not just for Palestinians but also for the Ummah." He then added that the aggression of Israel is ‘unacceptable and against all the principles of the United Nations.' Najib also called for the Palestinians to reconcile, in which he hoped that a recent thaw between Hamas and Fatah, would lead to a unity government.

His visit was also covered by various national and international media, including the American media. Many of the media reports suggested that Najib's visit was used by Hamas to project it as a "stand against Israel". The general tenor of the U.S. media coverage suggests that while Najib embarked on what he described as a humanitarian trip, his hosts tried to project it as a case of unflinching support for Hamas.

It is valid to say that for Muslims in general, whether Muslims of Malaysia or Muslims everywhere else in the world, the Palestinian issue is indeed an issue that sinks deep in our hearts. Muslims in general do feel for their brothers and sisters in Palestine and are always in their du'a.  Najib's visit, to many, is seen as a sign of solidarity among Muslims, although there are voices within the Malaysian media, especially the opposition media, that his visit to Gaza is just a act to win votes in the coming Malaysian election. Despite all these, what is important is for us to understand the visit and the issue of Palestine from the viewpoint of Islam. Najib, and indeed this is true for all Muslim leaders, even if they do sincerely care about what is happening in Palestine, looks at the problem and solution of the Palestinian issue in a totally erroneous, if not condemnable way. The crisis we are witnessing now is really, not a Palestinian problem, rather it is a Jewish problem. The very existence of the Jewish state should be at the very heart of every question raised or discussed around the Palestinian issue. Israel was created over Muslim land robbed and Muslim blood spilled by the Zionists in 1948. Then its borders were extended, leaving only Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967. This situation should never be accepted by any Muslim. Unfortunately this is exactly the accepted condition and the minds of many Muslims, in particular Muslim leaders like Najib have been moulded to see the Palestinian issue as a Palestinian problem, a problem related to the coexistence of two ‘UN endorsed states', rather than a Jewish problem, a problem related to the robbing and raping, by the Zionists, of the blessed land.

The authorities of Palestine, Hamas and Fatah have committed grievous crimes by accepting and rejoicing over the resolution of UN that Palestine borders are those established up to 1967. These criminals raised their hands in victory over a hideous resolution. They claimed victory over UN acceptance of Palestine as ‘a non member observer state'. In reality, the rejoice only brings a happy smile to the Kuffar and pushes the real solution to the issue even farther away. Najib may have been sincere in his caring gestures to our brothers and sisters in Palestine, but he certainly stands among those who rejoiced to the ‘solution' crafted by the enemies of Islam. His belief in the ‘principles of UN' testifies to this. Oh! How we hope that the next visit to Palestine by a Malaysian is a visit by a sincere Wali of our Wilayah, rejoicing in the defeat of the Jews and the return of the blessed land to the Islamic Ummah!

Dr. Muhammad - Malaysia