KUALA LUMPUR – Eran Katz is a foreigner who loves Malaysia, its people, and its cuisine. But while he counts some Malay Muslims as friends, Katz has yet to even set foot in Malaysia.
This is because he is an Israeli national and a Jew.
The prolific self-improvement author, however, said he hopes to reach as many Malaysians as possible to change their perceptions about Jews.
The writer, who has authored books such as Five Gifts for the Mind, Where did Noah Park the Ark? and Secrets of Super Memory also takes part in various seminars and lectures.
He has given lectures to security agencies across the globe, including in neighbouring Indonesia.
Some six years ago, the Malaysian police themselves invited Katz to give a lecture here.
But before deciding whether to accept the invitation, he thought it best to let them know his nationality, after which he was told they could not host him.
“When they said I couldn’t come, I felt sorry for them. I am Israeli and Jewish, and my people have suffered for 2,000 years. It is normal for us.
“It is sad but not surprising,” Katz told The Vibes in a WhatsApp call.
Despite this rejection, Katz said he has many Malay friends in Singapore, where he also takes part in various seminars.
They have even taken him to dine at Malay restaurants, outings Katz said he enjoyed. However, it is not just the food that stirs his curiosity and excitement about visiting Kuala Lumpur and interacting with Malaysians.
“In my seminars, people buy tickets. But, I have a rule where I invite Muslims for free.
“In Singapore, I invited a group of 20 orphans from a Muslim orphanage for free. Two hours into my seminar, I told them I was Jewish and an Israeli. They were shocked and didn’t know what to do.
“I continued the seminar for another two hours, and later, they came to take photos with me,” Katz said.
Friendships possible?
Friendships between Muslims and Jews are not limited to Singapore, Katz said, adding it also happens in Israel.
“There are Muslims in the Israeli Parliament; there are also some who serve as judges and some who become policemen and soldiers.
“LGBT Palestinians actually live in Tel Aviv among Jews, because it could be risky if they were to live elsewhere,” he added.
For Katz, however, despite the near-continuous conflict between the two communities, he believes the Israeli government’s handling of the situation is warranted, something many Malaysians would disagree with him on.
Only last week, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin condemned the attacks by the Israeli government against Hamas in Gaza and slammed the United Nations Security Council’s lack of action.
While Katz said he does agree with Muhyiddin and Malaysia’s long-held stance of a two-state solution, it is the Palestinians creating the hurdles.
“I totally agree with the two-state solution. In fact, most Israelis agree, too, but it is the Palestinians who don’t agree.
“They only want one state without Jews. That is the biggest problem and the world refuses to understand,” he said.
When asked if it is acceptable for other countries to disagree with the policies of the Israeli government without condemning the Israeli populace, Katz said it is best to analyse all the facts before coming to a conclusion.
“You are entitled to criticise anyone or any government. Even the Israeli government. But before you do that, learn the facts so that you know your criticisms are correct,” Katz said.
He said that despite not voting for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he still supports his government’s approach towards the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“Israel is divided. But now, these Palestinian attacks have unified Israel.
“We used to have terrible arguments between Jews about the government. But because of the attacks, everyone is justifying protecting themselves.
“(It is the Palestinians who) are shooting missiles at civilians, while the Israeli army has specific targets and does its best to avoid casualties. Of course, there will be collateral damage,” he said.
In the end, acknowledging that it may be difficult –perhaps even impossible – for the two communities to come together, Katz still harbours hope for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
“I would say the same for Malaysia, too. Most Israelis would love to have peaceful diplomatic relations with Malaysia. In fact, Israel voted in favour of Malaysia’s membership to the United Nations in 1957.” – The Vibes, May 21, 2021
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