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WASHINGTON - A group of eight United States lawmakers has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to suspend military training assistance to Malaysia if Putrajaya does not reverse its reported policy of tracking down and deporting Israeli citizens.
In a letter to Rubio, the lawmakers called for a review of Washington’s security and economic relationship with Malaysia following remarks by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regarding Israeli citizens in the country.
The signatories, namely Greg Landsman (Ohio), Dan Goldman (New York), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Florida), Jared Moskowitz (Florida), Brad Sherman (California), Jake Auchincloss (Massachusetts), Jimmy Panetta (California) and Josh Gottheimer (New Jersey) expressed concern over Anwar’s recent announcement that the Malaysian government would track down and immediately deport any Israeli citizens found in Malaysia.
Landsman uploaded the letter dated July 21 2026 on his Facebook account.
They urged the State Department to use diplomatic and economic leverage to pressure Malaysia to reverse the policy and specifically called for the suspension of the International Military Education and Training (IMET) programme if no action is taken within 15 days.
“We strongly urge you to use every tool at your disposal to make clear that this conduct carries consequences,” the lawmakers wrote.
The IMET programme enables Malaysian military personnel to receive professional military education and training in the United States.
“Malaysia’s refusal to recognise Israel is troubling enough. But, it is totally unacceptable that a head of government has publicly declared that his country will hunt down and expel citizens of our close ally based solely on their nationality,” the lawmakers said.
They argued that continued access to US security assistance, technology and markets gives Washington leverage in its dealings with Malaysia.
“Given these points of diplomatic leverage, we believe the United States should make clear to Prime Minister (Anwar) Ibrahim and his government that, with our aid and support, comes an expectation that they won't target the nationals of one of our closest allies,” the letter stated.
The lawmakers also raised concerns over Malaysia’s relationship with Hamas, saying the country maintains ties with the Palestinian group and citing past reports alleging that Hamas fighters had received training in Malaysia.
In addition to requesting a review of bilateral ties, the lawmakers asked the State Department to clarify what steps it is taking in response to Anwar’s remarks.
Malaysia and Israel do not maintain diplomatic relations. Malaysia has long supported the Palestinian cause and has consistently opposed Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.