“The US regards Palestine as an enemy of the United States. Malaysia must assure the world that Palestine is not our enemy, that we are in favour of Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine,” the former prime minister said in a short comment on his blog, as political parties from both sides of the divide gather today to discuss Washington’s controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Najib, in an article in a US government newsletter coinciding with his visit to the White House, had referred to “shared efforts” between Malaysia and US in the fight against violent extremism.

“Your enemy – those who blaspheme against the religion of a majority of Malaysians by claiming their terrorism is Islamic – is our enemy, too,” Najib wrote in The Hill.

Najib, the Umno president, is expected to share the stage today with his PAS counterpart Abdul Hadi Awang, in a forum-cum-rally called “Save Jerusalem” at the Putra Mosque in Putrajaya.

Representatives from PKR and Amanah will also be present.

Mahathir said the solidarity shown by Umno and PAS in the Jerusalem issue would only be meaningful “if it results in the Barisan Nasional government acting against Donald Trump and the United States”.

“Opposition parties can only demonstrate. But governments can act meaningfully,” he said.

He added that Putrajaya should emulate Turkey by setting up a consulate for Palestine in Jerusalem.