Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today signalled a fresh approach to foreign relations when he called for a less confrontational approach when it comes to dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"We must choose a better way than to be confrontational. We must respond with better understanding and knowledge (of the issue)," said Abdullah who is the current chairperson of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).

The premier was commenting on recent reports that anti-Semitic references have been on the rise in the Arab and Muslim media, notably after former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's speech at the OIC summit last month.

Mahathir had raised the ire of several Western governments, including those of the United States, the European Union, Russia and Australia, as well as the Israeli government when he said during his key address that Jews rule the world by proxy today despite suffering the World War II holocaust.

Late last month, the US Senate also threatened to place restrictions on a proposed US$1.2 million military grant to Malaysia unless the new administration demonstrates that it supports and promotes religious freedom, including for Jews.

Patient response

Asked if he felt Mahathir's speech was confrontational, Abdullah - who is often described as a leader with a much more conciliatory disposition - said the ex-premier had not intended for his speech to be construed as an anti-Jew rally.

"(Mahathir) is not anti-Jew. He wanted the Muslim to understand and he had asked Muslims to respond with patience, understanding and knowledge. He explained what happened to the Jews.

(Foreign governments) are not happy with the way he explained things...My reaction is that we must not go on a confrontational course," he said.

To another question on whether he stood by Mahathir's speech, Abdullah said the address was made to OIC delegates and it represented the stand of the organisation.

Cooperation sought

Abdullah had earlier chaired his first Umno supreme council meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre after assuming the position of Acting President upon Mahathir's retirement last Friday.

He later held the press conference flanked by a group of senior Umno leaders, including Umno vice-presidents Najib Tun Razak and Muhamad Muhd Taib, Wanita chief Rafidah Abdul Aziz, secretary-general Khalil Yaakob and information chief Megat Junid Megat Ayob.

On the meeting, Abdullah told reporters that he had sought and received the support of Umno leaders and the menteris besar on his proposals to fight corruption.

However, he said the meeting did not discuss the appointment of an acting deputy president, although the position has been made vacant by Abdullah's elevation.

"We did not discuss it. There is no problem even if there is a vacancy," he said.