US criticism of Malaysia’s entry ban on Israeli nationals is unlikely to prompt a significant change in the country’s foreign policy, analysts say, following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s rejection of accusations that the policy is antisemitic.

The dispute intensified after eight members of the US Congress urged Washington to review its security and economic relations with Malaysia in response to Anwar’s comments on deporting Israeli nationals.

“We are against what Israel is doing,” Anwar told reporters on Friday, July 25th, 2026. “We are being labelled as if we are against a certain group.” He emphasized that Malaysia’s stance on Israel is popular domestically but not with US lawmakers. “We will not compromise nor allow a single Israeli to set foot in Malaysia,” he added.

Malaysia’s longstanding refusal to recognize Israel and the broader international debate on distinguishing criticism of Israel from hostility towards Jewish people underpin the tensions.

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