In an interview with Geo News, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called on Muslim countries to unite against Israel, calling the Jewish state 'illegitimate' and a product of the Balfour Declaration. He said the Palestinian issue will remain until a permanent solution aligned with Palestinian aspirations is achieved. The remarks expand on statements first reported by The Zioneer earlier Saturday, following the signing of the tripartite defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, in a full interview with Geo News on Saturday, elaborated on his earlier call for Muslim unity against Israel, asserting that the Jewish state was established illegitimately as a result of the Balfour Declaration and that all Muslim countries must unite to address the issue. The remarks, quoted by Pakistani media and relayed via Telegram channels, expand on statements first reported by The Zioneer earlier Saturday.
Asif described the tripartite defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan as the beginning of a process to unite the Islamic world, and said disputes among Muslim states should be resolved within this framework. He argued that the Palestinian issue will remain until a permanent solution is achieved in accordance with Palestinian aspirations.
The defense minister's language reflects the hardening stance of the Pakistan government under current regional alignments. Pakistan does not recognize Israel and has historically been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause. The comments come amid heightened regional tensions, with Israel engaged in a multi-front confrontation with Iran and its proxies. Asif's remarks are unlikely to lead to immediate policy shifts but reinforce the ideological divide between the Israeli and Pakistani positions.
5 developments
- DevelopingMinister Amichai Eliyahu says Yair Golan greatest danger to Israel
- DevelopingIsrael's defense minister warns Iran: attack on Israel will draw 'crushing blow'
- DevelopingPakistan warns Israel's Lebanon offensive threatens US-Iran talks
- StrongPakistan's Foreign Ministry calls on US, Iran to de-escalate, cites Islamabad MoU as key to preventing regional war
Source and signal
- Open-source intake