CIVIL society groups have urged Malaysians to boycott products made in Israel to protest protest US President Donald Trump’s recognisation of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Malaysia (Pekira) president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah said they will distribute 100,000 flyers nationwide to ensure the people are aware of the products.

“We also want the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to not give those products ‘halal’ certification.

“I’m also requesting our leader (Prime Minister Najib Razak) to be stern on this matter. From today onwards we will go all out in the protest until Donald Trump retracts his statement,” he told reporters in front of the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur today.

Four groups, Ikatan Rakyat Insan Muslim Malaysia (IRIMM), Pertubuhan Ikatan Usahawan Kecil dan Sederhana Malaysia (Ikhlas), Persatuan Badan Kebajikan Pemandu Teksi dan Kereta Sewa India Muslim (Pebaktim) and Pekira had submitted a memorandum to the US embassy to oppose Trump’s move, which was received by the embassy’s political counselor.

Last week Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and was also planning to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The move drew harsh criticisms from political parties in the country as well as causing an overwhelming global diplomatic backlash.

A protest was held in front of the US embassy last week, which drew almost a thousand people including Umno, PAS, Bersatu Youth (Armada) members and civil society groups such as the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM).

Najib had strongly condemned the move and said Muslims throughout the world would never accept the decision as Jerusalem is one of the three holiest places in the religion after Mecca and Medina.

The EU, along with other major international powers had also voiced deep concerns about Trump’s declaration. – December 13, 2017.