NON-ARAB MUSLIM PERSPECTIVES ON PALESTINE AND ISRAEL: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TURKISH AND MALAYSIAN STATE APPROACHES

Abstract

This research conducts a comparative analysis of the foreign policies of Turkiye and Malaysia regarding the Palestinian issue and Israel, highlighting both their convergences and divergences in approaches within the broader context of Jewish-Muslim relations. Ankara and Kuala Lumpur maintain extensive and multifaceted connections in various spheres, such as religion, politics, economy, culture, and social issues in the Middle East. The political stances of Turkiye and Malaysia serve as an insightful comparative case study to understand the engagement of Muslim-majority non-Arab countries with the Palestinian cause and the state of Israel. Their diplomatic initiatives consistently advocate for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Additionally, both countries provide humanitarian and developmental aid to Palestinians residing in occupied territories and refugee camps. This study argues that Turkiye's direct support for Palestine is in contrast to Malaysia's indirect approach, with Turkiye's historical ties and formal diplomatic relations with Israel, as opposed to Malaysia's policy of avoiding direct engagement in most-similar case study approach. However, this paper sheds light on how their policies reflect broader trends and tensions in Jewish-Muslim relations in international relations.