Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani emphasized on Thursday that Pakistan’s position on Israel remains unchanged and will continue to align with its historical stance. He stated, “Our policy concerning Israel remains unaltered,” underscoring Islamabad’s commitment to the rights of the Palestinian people.
In Pakistan, there have been concerns that acknowledging Israel without a lasting resolution to the Palestinian conflict could undermine the country’s longstanding position on the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Pakistan also maintains a non-diplomatic relationship with Tel Aviv and upholds the “two-state solution” based on United Nations, OIC resolutions, international law, and the establishment of pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as the capital of Palestine.
This marks the second statement by Jilani within a week regarding Pakistan’s relationship with Israel. He previously noted that Pakistan’s decision to recognize Israel would be determined by its own national interests and the interests of the Palestinian people.
Jilani’s remarks were in response to Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s assertion that six or seven Muslim nations would establish diplomatic ties with Israel if a deal with Saudi Arabia materialized. Cohen spoke after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address at the UNGA, where he discussed a “new Middle East” with diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. While Cohen did not specify the countries involved, he mentioned they were located in Africa and Asia, and only some had engaged in direct discussions with him. Jilani clarified that he had not met with his Israeli counterpart.
Upon his return to Pakistan after attending this year’s UNGA, Jilani expressed that Pakistan would prioritize its national interests when making decisions on this matter. He reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along pre-1967 borders, a position consistently emphasized during relevant meetings and speeches at the UNGA.
Jilani likened the issue to the right to self-determination for Kashmiris, asserting that it aligns with Pakistan’s national interests. Observers believe that any potential agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, given Riyadh’s historical support for the Palestinian cause, may exert pressure on other countries, including Pakistan, to reconsider their policies. Pakistan has resisted recognizing Israel, although in 2005, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Israel held a significant meeting in Turkey. However, this process stalled due to strong opposition to establishing diplomatic ties with Israel in the absence of a resolution to the Palestinian issue.