Apologists tell us time and again that they are not against Jews, per se, just Zionists. And yet so much invective against the modern State of Israel not only finds inspiration in, but directly quotes the Qur’an’s own antisemitic rhetoric. “MPs clash over diplomatic ties with Israel,” by Ahmed Naish for Minivan News, October 5 (thanks to M):
Opposition MPs today severely criticised the government’s decision to normalise relations with Israel and establish diplomatic ties.
At a heated sitting of parliament, MPs debated a motion without notice proposed by Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) MP Dr Afrashim Ali, a religious scholar.
“Because the Islamic character of Maldives will be clouded as a result of this and have an adverse effect on the close relationship with the Islamic Ummah (community), I submit this as a motion without notice under Majlis standing orders 70(a) to immediately invalidate this agreement [with Israel],” he said.
Speaking at the 64th session of the UN General Assembly, President Mohamed Nasheed said the Maldives would use its renewed ties with Israel to reiterate its support for an independent and sovereign Palestinian homeland.
“We believe dialogue and constructive engagement serve the cause of peace better than ostracism and isolation,” said Nasheed.
Afrashim’s motion stated that the Maldives severed ties with Israel in 1976 after it ignored UN resolutions and because of its atrocities against the Palestinian people. “Disregarding all rules and laws, without any right, Israel has purposefully and aggressively impoverished, dispossessed and killed the Palestinian people,” he said.
Further, neither Muslim nations nor the Maldivian people wished to have any relations with Israel, he continued, and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) had passed resolutions against establishing diplomatic ties with the Jewish state. […]
Today’s sitting overran by two hours after a motion to extend it until all MPs could speak was passed with 37 votes in favour and 4 against.
“How can we have ties with people who are trying to destroy, pulverize and wipe out Islam?” said Afrashim. “What I foresee if we establish relations with Israel and they come to this country and start living among us, a temple will be built on that Republican Square opposite the Islamic centre.”
Quoting the Qur’an, Afrashim said Jews would never wish well for Muslims.
Qur’an 5:82: “Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans…”
MPs of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said the previous government had diplomatic relations with Israel.
“In the UN vote to recognise Israel, Maldives was the only Muslim country to vote in favour,” said Dhidhoo MP Ahmed Sameer.
Ihavandhoo MP Ahmed Abdullah said Fathulla Jameel, former foreign minister, admitted to diplomatic ties. […]
Kendhoo MP Ahmed Thasmeen Ali, deputy leader of DRP, said he condemned the government for establishing ties with Israel at a time when the peace process was derailed.
“With this act, I believe we are sending a very bad signal. It is a signal that will cloud the view the Arab world has of us,” he said, calling on the government to reconsider its decision.
400,000 a day theatre
Machangoalhi North MP Mariya Ahmed Didi said motions without notice did not accomplish anything, but only gave MPs the opportunity to voice their opinions.
Over Rf400,000 (US$31,000) was spent daily on each parliament sitting, she said, adding MPs were criticised for not passing any bills in the previous session.[…]
Several MDP MPs said 27 countries of the OIC, including Palestine, recognises Israel, which was refuted by opposition MPs, who said only Egypt and Jordan had ties with Israel.
“They [Egypt and Jordan] were forced to establish ties because their lands are on the borderline with Israel, because their lands were robbed and there was no other way to get it back,” said Maavashu MP Abdul Azeez Jamal Abubakuru of the People’s Alliance.
Responding to Mariya’s criticism of MPs wasting time, Azeez said it was the duty of parliamentarians to inform the people of important issues that were in the national interest.
Fares-Maathoda MP Ibrahim Muttalib, an independent MP, said the Qur’an advised against taking Jews and Christians for friends, adding the Israelis “drank the blood of Muslims daily”.
Qur’an 3:28: “Let not the believers take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoso doeth that hath no connection with Allah unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security. Allah biddeth you beware (only) of Himself. Unto Allah is the journeying.”
And Qur’an 5:51: “O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. ”
Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Aslam of the MDP pointed out that there were 1.2 million Muslim citizens of Israel.
MDP MP for Maafanu North Imthiyaz Fahmy tore up a copy of the motion after accusing the previous government of using Islam as a tool. He added that President Mahmoud Abbas had invited President Nasheed to Palestine.
Thohdhoo MP Ali Waheed of the DRP said the government was trying to establish ties with people who had “cut off genitals of Muslim women, stuck branding irons into them and burned babies in ovens”.