Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for making inflammatory remarks about Israel.
This comes as Pakistan tries to present itself as a neutral party in the ongoing US-Iran ceasefire talks.
In a post on X, Asif called Israel a “cancerous state” and a “curse for humanity.” He said he hoped the world would rid itself of the Jewish state and added, “Burn in hell.” His statement followed recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon and a fragile truce between Washington and Tehran.
Netanyahu’s office quickly responded with a strongly worded post on X, calling Asif’s remarks “outrageous” and a direct call for Israel’s annihilation. The statement said, “This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace.”
The deep-seated hostility between Islamabad and Tel Aviv has never allowed them to maintain diplomatic relations. Analysts note that Asif’s comments could undermine Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator at a sensitive time when global powers are working to stabilise the Middle East.
This incident also raises questions about how such language could affect wider regional diplomacy involving Iran, the US, and Israel. While Pakistan wants a bigger role in ceasefire talks, Jerusalem has made it clear that calls for its destruction will not go unanswered.
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