KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 ― Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today criticised the DAP over a junior leader’s attempt to stir controversy in Putrajaya’s decision that led to the withdrawal of two Israeli windsurfer champions from a competition here.

Ahmad Zahid said the criticism was unfounded and stemmed from a failure to grasp local sensitivities as well as the country’s position on Israel as a nation.

“We know that we have a clear policy on the diplomatic relations with Israel and DAP's action beyond those policies,” he told reporters during a press conference at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) today.

He added Perak DAP economic development bureau chief Chong Zhemin’s remarks has even turned the party’s allies hostile, pointing out that these have come out to criticise the party.

“I do not want to mention the name of the parties but I feel DAP shouldn't just look at it from their aspects and element only,” he said.

Chong has come under criticism for his statement on Saturday chiding Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin for not allowing the two Israeli athletes to compete in a world youth windsurfing competition this week.

Pakatan Harapan ally Parti Amanah Negara yesterday urged for the withdrawal of Chong’s statement on the ban while the Perak chapter of the DAP Socialist Youth also disavowed the junior leader’s comments.

The Jerusalem Post reported Thursday the chairman of the Israel Sailing Association, Gili Amir, as saying that Yoav Omer and Noy Drihan will not take part in the international surfing competition here, as both athletes had yet to receive their visas 24 hours before their scheduled departure.

Amir also reportedly accused Malaysia of putting “unacceptable” demands on Israel by forbidding their athletes from carrying their country’s flag or from wearing any symbol on their attire and surfboards to show their country of origin.

Khairy on Friday told Malay Mail Online that Malaysia accepted the withdrawal of the two Israeli athletes from the Youth Sailing World Championships, saying that Putrajaya was guided by the “existing policy of the Malaysian government” as it was a “diplomatic issue”.

Pro-Palestine Malaysia does not formally recognise Israel as a country, and Israeli passport holders may not be admitted into the country without express written permission from the Malaysian government.