Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is seen at an Oct. 23 pro-Hamas rally in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Reuters/Mat Zain

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to immediately deport any Israeli citizen found in the country, insisting that even mounting pressure from the United States will not force Kuala Lumpur to abandon its longstanding ban.

The latest diplomatic row between Malaysia and Israel began last week after social media posts sparked controversy over Network School, a technology-focused co-living and co-working project founded by US investor Balaji Srinivasan in the country’s southern state of Johor.

The dispute erupted after online users alleged that several participants were Israeli citizens holding dual nationality who had entered Malaysia using non-Israeli passports, triggering political backlash and renewed scrutiny of the country’’ strict prohibition on Israeli nationals.

Malaysia has long barred Israeli citizens from entering the country as part of its refusal to establish diplomatic relations with Israel and its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause.

Facing mounting criticism over its policy, Malaysia drew pushback from US lawmakers, as a group of Republican representatives called for a reassessment of Washington’s economic and security ties with Kuala Lumpur and urged pressure on the country to reconsider its stance.

The US representatives demanded the suspension of US funding for the International Military Education and Training program, which supports professional training for Malaysian military personnel, unless Kuala Lumpur reverses its policy within 15 days.

After being summoned by the US State Department on Thursday, Malaysia’s ambassador to Washington, Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, defended Kuala Lumpur’s stance on Israel, emphasizing that the country’s longstanding policy of not recognizing Israel was not a recent decision.

“It has always been Malaysia’s ​policy. Our immigration policy does not recognise the State of ​Israel or the Zionist regime. This has long been our ⁠position,” Yaakob reportedly told US officials.

Now, Ibrahim has reaffirmed that position, declaring that his government will not bow to international pressure and making clear that US criticism will not alter Malaysia’s policy toward Israeli citizens.

“We will continue this policy and will not allow Israelis to set foot in Malaysia,” the Malaysian leader said in an interview with local media.

“Malaysia is an independent country and we are free to express our views. Therefore, despite the threats, I will firmly defend the rights of Malaysians and the decision made by the Malaysian people to remain steadfast in banning the presence of any Israeli citizen in the country,” he continued.

Malaysia has never recognized Israel or established diplomatic relations with the Jewish state since its founding in 1948, citing its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause.

The Southeast Asian nation has become one of Israel’s most vocal critics, repeatedly condemning its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza while positioning itself as a leading supporter of the Palestinians on the international stage.

Ibrahim has even previously acknowledged to US President Donald Trump that he had met with Hamas leaders, defending the contact as a humanitarian gesture toward families affected by the war in Gaza.

“I told Trump that I had indeed met with a Hamas leader to express condolences to their families, who had suffered from the impact of the bombings and the killing of their women, children and families. There is nothing unusual about that,” he told local media when asked about a previous meeting with the US leader in Washington.

“Malaysia maintains good relations with the United States, but we cannot be cowards and fail to condemn the killing of innocent people in Gaza,” he continued.