Mahathir blocked from visiting Jerusalem...

The former prime minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, was denied entry into Jerusalem.

The Malaysian government yesterday called Israel arrogant for barring former premier Mahathir Mohamad from visiting Jerusalem and delaying him for up to an hour at a border crossing.

Mahathir, who angered Jews and Western leaders for an inflammatory speech made to Muslim leaders in 2003, said he was held up for nearly an hour by Israeli border officials as he entered the West Bank through the Allenby Bridge from Jordan on Monday. Mahathir told reporters that he also was told he would not be allowed to enter Jerusalem.

Of couse, Mahathir would have been allowed to enter had he just told the Israelies of his intention in advance....but, that would have been too much because it would have implied recognition of Israel.

I was living in Singapore when Mahathir blamed the Asian currency crisis on the Jews. Then he gave that speech to Muslim leaders where he blamed everything on the Jews.....I still don't understand why Malaysia can't make peace with Israel - surely if Jordan and Egypt can, then why not Malaysia?