Mukhriz Mahathir’s Anti-US Video Sparks Backlash

Former Kedah chief minister and Pejuang party president Mukhriz Mahathir posted a video on a Saturday in which he declared, “I hate Americans. I despise Israelis, but I hate Americans, all of them.” The clip quickly went viral, accumulating more than 350,000 views and roughly 9,000 reactions by the following Monday. Mukhriz framed his remarks as criticism of U.S. support for Israel and argued that ordinary Americans share responsibility for their government’s foreign policy.

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Malaysia has long positioned itself as a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and does not recognise Israel as a state. The country’s current prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, has repeatedly condemned Israel’s conduct in Gaza, a stance that has strained Kuala Lumpur’s relations with Washington. Earlier, the U.S. State Department summoned Malaysia’s ambassador to question the policy of refusing entry to Israeli citizens. Mukhriz’s anti-U.S. rhetoric echoes that of his father, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has historically criticised U.S. and Western foreign policy, including labeling the George W. Bush administration a “rogue regime.”

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The U.S. embassy in Malaysia was contacted for comment on Mukhriz’s statements, but no response was provided in the reporting. Malaysian authorities have not issued a formal rebuttal to the video; however, the government’s broader diplomatic posture remains critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Reuters reported that the U.S.–backed ceasefire in Gaza is under renewed strain following recent Israeli air strikes that killed at least two Palestinians, including a child.

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Social-media users challenged Mukhriz’s blanket condemnation of an entire nationality. Others described the term “hate” as “misplaced” and urged the politician to promote understanding rather than animosity.

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• “I hate Americans. I despise Israelis, but I hate Americans, all of them,” — Mukhriz

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