The Pakistani Joint Chiefs of Staff has claimed
that the Republic Islamic of Pakistan is capable
of destroying the 'Jewish nation' in less than 12
minutes, the latest of a long series of threats
against what it deems as the “Zionist regime.”
“If Israel tries to invade our sacred sites in
Palestine, we will raze the Zionist regime in
less than 12 minutes,” said Zubair Mahmood
Hayat , The Pakistani Joint Chiefs .
In 1947, Israel’s founder, David Ben Gurion
sent a telegram to Muhammad Ali Jinnah in an
attempt to establish diplomatic relations with
Pakistan. The telegram was initially ignored
and to date, Pakistan still refuses to recognise
Israel as a state.
Ben Gurion was allegedly quoted in The Jewish
Chronicle in 1967 on his view of Pakistan:
The world Zionist movement should not be
neglectful of the dangers of Pakistan to it. And
Pakistan now should be its first target, for this
ideological state is a threat to our existence.
And Pakistan, the whole of it, hates the Jews
and loves the Arabs.
This lover of the Arabs is more dangerous to us than the Arabs themselves. For that matter, it is most essential
for the world Zionism that it should now take
immediate steps against Pakistan.
Whereas the inhabitants of the Indian
peninsula are Hindus whose hearts have been
full of hatred towards Muslims, therefore,
India is the most important base for us to work
from against Pakistan. It is essential that we
exploit this base and strike and crush
Pakistanis, enemies of Jews and Zionism, by all
disguised and secret plans.
This famous quote has never been verified and
many Israeli academics dispute its authenticity.
However, it is a well-known fact that Israel is
not favoured by Pakistan. If you don’t believe
me, just take a look at the recent blog
published on The Express Tribune about
Israel.
Over the years, I have heard many arguments
regarding the Palestine-Israel conflict. From
holding Hamas and Fatah accountable for
internal bickering between the West Bank and
Gaza Strip, to blaming all Arabs for being
arrogant towards south-east Asians as a whole
– therefore the Palestinians deserve the unrest
and the injustice. And above all the arguments
is the one that takes the lead; Jews have the
biblical right to a land that was promised to
them by God.
To explain these reasons to a Palestinian living
off UN handouts in a refugee camp in Lebanon
or Jordan would be an insult and borderline
insensitive. Imagine having your culture and
livelihood taken from you and being expelled
from your land. Or, to be degraded daily by
the Israel Defence Force in checkpoints strewn
across the occupied West Bank and have your
child shot by Israeli extremistl settlers in
Nablus.
Human rights violations are rife despite Israel
portraying itself as the beacon of freedom in
the eyes of the international community.
Israel would have you believe that Palestinians are
all terrorists and it’s only defending its
citizens from suicide bombers and Islamic
extremists. The reality however is very different.
There is a wide misconception that the clash
over the holy land is solely between Muslims
and Jews. There are over 300,000 Palestinian
Christians in the disputed territories, along
with many more living abroad.
They too are discriminated against equally as their
Muslim counterparts. Israel uses sophisticated
lobbying from institutions such as the
American Israel Public Affairs Committee
(AIPAC) to portray Palestine as the aggressor.
Then comes the question, ‘Would it be in
Pakistan’s interest to recognise Israel, like
countries who already have such as Egypt and
Jordan?’ If not for economic stability, then maybe to
increase its list of allies?
I would have to say no.
Not because of the Muslims versus Jews debate,
or the ties many people have to the third most
holiest site in Islam, Al-Aqsa Mosque, but
based more on a human level.
If it was the other way around and
Palestinians were occupying a land by killing
innocent civilians and begrudging them their
basic human rights in the 21st century, I
would reiterate my decision regardless of
religion or race.
We cannot let our names represent an
apartheid regime and ethnic cleansing of
Palestinian people.
We should push for peace
in one of the most complex conflicts of our
time, and simultaneously hold Israel
accountable for its actions – something which
the UN repeatedly fails to do.
I must also emphasise that I’m not anti-semetic
and I don’t agree that Jews are our enemies
either. Zionism and Judaism are two very
different concepts.
To simplify things, all monotheistic beliefs are from
the same maker which renders the fight over religion pointless; hate will only brew more hate.
This is a fight for human rights who everyone
has the right to defend.
Pakistan itself has a tainted slate when it comes
to human rights. But it wouldn’t get any closer
to making amends by forming an alliance with
Israel either. And as for improving Pakistan’s
image externally, well maybe we should focus
on procuring a change from within first and
then worry about what image others have of
us.
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