Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed that he met with a delegation of Pakistani expats two weeks ago. The Israeli President’s confirmation has resulted in anger on Twitter from Pakistanis who think that the government may be normalizing ties with Israel.
The Israeli President, while speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF), said it was an “amazing experience” receiving the delegation of Pakistani expats. He referred to it as an example that showed him “great change” vis-a-vis Israel’s ties with the Muslim world. A video of him making the statements has gone viral in Pakistan.
“And I must say this was an amazing experience. We haven’t had a group of Pakistani leaders in Israel in such scope. And that all stems from the Abraham Accords, meaning Jews and Muslims can dwell together in the region […], “Isaac Herzog said.
🔴 Depuis le Forum économique de @Davos le Président de l'État d'Israël @Isaac_Herzog révèle s'être entretenu avec des délégations du Pakistan 🇵🇰 et d'autres délégations de pays musulmans de cette région. Israël n'entretient aucune relation diplomatique avec le Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/2kGpFuR5L6
— Jonathan Serero (@sererojonathan) May 25, 2022
Pakistan’s reaction
As a result, the meeting raised a lot of hue and cry from Pakistanis. To clarify, Pakistan does not recognize Israel as a state. The previous government has also taken a strong stance against Israel and condemned its blatant human rights violations in Palestine on numerous occasions.
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Sunday, former Prime Minister Imran Khan criticized the incumbent government and alleged that it was going to recognize Israel.
“This government will strike a deal with India to sell the people of Kashmir, and to top it off, they are also going to accept Israel,” he said while addressing the PTI workers’ convention in Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Therefore, while keeping in line with Imran Khan’s sentiments, Pakistanis, including PTI leaders took to Twitter to express their anger.
https://twitter.com/MAAN__PTI/status/1530877793357144064?s=20&t=M8_q997R7UhFvUB-4k-bHA
No matter how much ass kissing you do for America, Pakistan will never recognise Israel. Israel does not exist for us.
— Annie Khalid (@annie_khalid) May 29, 2022
Our brothers and sisters of Palestine should know, there can never be any question of recognition of Israel without a just solution for Palestine. This continues to be a clear and consistent policy of @PTIofficial under the leadership of @ImranKhanPTI.
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 29, 2022
Why is PML-N getting criticism?
To clarify, earlier this month, reports emerged on the social media of Sharaka hosting a delegation of Muslims in Israel. Sharaka is a non-governmental organization by people from Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain after the signing of the Abraham Accords. Sharaka aims to connect the people of the Gulf with Israel.
However, the delegation came under much controversy in Pakistan. The delegation included the first Pakistani Jew who received authorization to travel to Israel.
As a result, Pakistani netizens raised a lot of hue and cry. Some claimed that the PML-N government sent the delegation as it wants to normalize ties with Israel. Such claims came based on the reports that a journalist from PTV too accompanied the delegation. Moreover, PTI leader Shireen Mazari also claimed of PML-N link due to one of the delegation’s members Anila Ali’s meeting with PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz.
Anila Ali who organised the "Pak-American" visit to Israel which incl a govt/State employee is linked to Lying Maryam! Part of US regime change conspiracy agenda – to covertly build up ties with Israel! @OfficialDGISPR does this have official approval?
#امپورٹڈ__Øکومت__نامنظور pic.twitter.com/e3PDKuEQyY— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) May 13, 2022
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However, it was learned that the Israel visiting delegation has American citizens of Pakistani origin. Therefore, it has nothing to do with the government of Pakistan. Furthermore, the Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal made it clear that no government or semi-government delegation of Pakistan met the Israeli president.