Malaysia’s anti-Semitic Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigns

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad gives a speech in Vladivostok, Russia, September 5, 2019. Image by VLADIMIR SMIRNOV/AFP/Getty Images
(JTA) — Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has described Jews as “hook-nosed” and blamed Israel for the unrest in the Middle East, has resigned.
Mohamad, the world’s oldest leader at 94, submitted his resignation to the country’s king Monday, AFP reported. He had agreed to step down and hand power to his former rival, Anwar Ibrahim, after they joined their parties to form a coalition government following national elections in 2018.
Mohamad was in his second stint as prime minister after serving previously from 1981 to 2003.
He has said that he is proud to be called an anti-Semite. Mohamad wrote on his personal blog in 2012 that “Jews rule this world by proxy,” and has asserted that “America is very much under Jewish influence.”
In his 1970 book “The Malay Dilemma,” Mohamad wrote that “the Jews are not merely hook-nosed, but understand money instinctively.” He also has questioned the fact that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, saying the figure was 4 million.
The post Malaysia’s anti-Semitic prime minister Mahathir Mohamad resigns appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
