In a strong denunciation of “outrageous” remarks made by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Israel raised questions on Islamabad’s role as a “neutral arbiter” in the US/Israel-Iran war.
“Pakistan Defence Minister’s call for Israel’s annihilation is outrageous,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a post on X, adding, “This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace.”
What did Asif say?
The Pakistani Defence Minister, in a social media post, called Israel “evil” and a “curse for humanity”, giving a call to get rid of European Jews.
Asif also claimed that “peace talks are underway in Islamabad, genocide is being committed in Lebanon”. Pakistan has been credited with mediating a temporary two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran and is preparing to host peace talks on April 10.
“Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran, and now Lebanon, and bloodletting continues unabated. I hope and pray that the people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European Jews [sic] burn in hell,” he added.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned Asif’s comments, saying, “These blatant antisemitic blood libels from a government claiming to mediate peace. Israel will defend itself against terrorists who vow its destruction.”
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