Israel visit: Pakistani delegation’s meeting with Israeli president raises eyebrows

A Pakistani delegation’s visit to Israel and meeting with the Israeli president raised eyebrows which led the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to clarify the position.

An Israeli non-government organisation (NGO), Sharaka, had organised a visit of a Pakistan-American delegation to “promote peace in the Middle East”. The delegation members included Ahmed Quraishi, a journalist from state television, Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV).

Israel President Isaac Herzog confirmed on May 26 during a special address at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting that he recently received a delegation of Pakistani-Americans, calling it an “amazing experience” and referring to it as an example that showed him “great change” vis-a-vis Israel’s ties with the Muslim world.

Isaac Herzog delivered the remarks when he was talking about the Abraham Accords — a deal brokered by the United States in 2020 which saw the normalisation of relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.

Imran Khan blames coalition govt

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan alleged during Charsadda public meeting that the coalition government is going to recognise Israel in the coming day. He also gave a reference to the recent visit of Pakistani-Americans and termed it an advancement to normalising ties with Israel.

Just after Imran Khan’s allegations, PTI leaders started expressing suspicions over the visit.

FO’s clarification

Responding to media queries, the Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson categorically rejected the notion of any delegation from Pakistan visiting Israel. The reported visit in question was organized by a foreign NGO which is not based in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s position on the Palestinian issue is clear and unambiguous. There is no change whatsoever in our policy on which there is a complete national consensus.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(Office of the Spokesperson)
*****
Press Release

No. 258/2022

Responding to media queries, the Spokesperson categorically rejected the notion of any delegation from Pakistan visiting Israel.

— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) May 29, 2022

Pakistan steadfastly supports the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination.

The establishment of an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with the relevant UN and OIC resolutions, is imperative for just and lasting peace in the region.

Quraishi’s statement

Ahmed Quraishi told Geo News on May 19 that it was interfaith harmony and the Muslim-Jew understanding, adding the delegation went to Israel from the US, not Pakistan. He explained that the permission for Jewish Pakistani citizen Fishel Benkhald’s visit to holy Jewish sites was granted by the Imran Khan government, at Benkhald’s request.

Pakistan does not recognise Israel and, therefore, doesn’t have diplomatic relations with it. Pakistan has been a staunch supporter of demands for a Palestinian state. After the Abraham accords, Pakistan had made clear that it cannot recognise Israel until a “just settlement of the Palestinian issue” is found.