ISTANBUL

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Monday said former US President Jimmy Carter defied the conventional wisdom of American political elite on the most crucial matters of war and peace.

Carter “devoted service to his country and humanity,” said Anwar after the 100-year-old former US leader passed away on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia.

“To my mind, what stands out most about him was his willingness to defy the conventional wisdom of America’s political elites on the most crucial matters of war and peace — whether it was on dialogue with Cuba, championing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, or decrying the 2003 invasion of Iraq,” said the 77-year-old Malaysian prime minister.

Anwar said: “No one will doubt Carter’s courage in putting principle above politics on the question of Palestine.”

Carter “dared to confront the third rail of American politics, labelling Israel’s practices in Palestine as apartheid long before many others would do so,” said Anwar, who in past has taught in the US as well as in the UK.

Recalling how Carter endured withering criticism from the pro-Israel lobby by steadfastly championing the two-state solution, Anwar said: “To the end, he stood unwavering — an unyielding, quiet force for peace and justice.”​​​​​​​