Pakistan–Israel relations

+ Israeli State—Pakistan relations 90px   300px  

There is a belief that Pakistan is solely opposed to Israel due to the latter’s post-independence actions against Occupied-Palestine, which are attributed to the sizeable military mismatch between both Palestine and Israel – however this is not a complete picture. The reality is that Pakistan’s founders laid the groundwork for the nation’s pro-Palestine stance long before both Pakistan or the Israel gained independence. The founders were unequivocally opposed to a Jewish homeland fashioned at the expense of the Arabs. Due to such a robust foundation, one still sees the explicit phrase “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel” written quite unapologetically on the Pakistani passport. The founders adopted this posture due to them witnessing Britain’s exploitation of Arab Muslims, Britain’s reneging on promises to the Arabs, favoritism towards the Jews, and the global powers’ support of Zionism on Palestinian soil.

History, the greatest of writers, inscribed poetically how Pakistan and Israel both came to be within the space of 9 months – perhaps the only two nations to be created in the name of religion. Both nations are marked with territorial disputes as well, which remain unresolved and pose a threat on a global scale. Mr. Jinnah passed soon after on the 11th of September in 1948. It is unlikely that Pakistan would ever recognize Israel given this historical precedent. The country would erupt in protest and any government that plans to take this step would not be voted back into power. Jinnah’s long endeavor over Caliphate, Palestine and Arab rights, spanning three decades, is likely to maintain Pakistan’s current stance on Israel in future. This historical perspective also answers why Pakistan is one of the only countries in the world whose passport is not valid for entry into Israel. This is because Pakistan’s foreign policy cannot defy the vision of its founder, with his principled, categorical stance against Israel even before the creation of Pakistan.

These historical facts also challenge the popular cliché that Pakistan stands with Palestine because its position would otherwise weaken over Indian-administered Kashmir.  Both conflicts have several similarities. There is no doubt that Palestine and Kashmir have historical and political similarities, but Pakistan’s stated position over Palestine is deep-rooted in its creation and will remain an integral part of its foreign policy towards the Middle East.  

Ancient Indus Valley-Judean relations
Excavation at Tel Megiddo shows evidences of Indo-Mediterranean trade relations from mid second millennium BCE between Southern Asia and Southern Levant as they prove presence of turmeric, banana, sesame, all originating from India (continent). Geographical analysis of Israel suggests that the authors of Old Testament were talking about Indus Valley i.e. present-day Pakistan, where the trade of animals such as monkeys and peacocks existed. According to Chaim Menachem Rabin, the connection between Ancient Israel and the Indian subcontinent was recorded during the Reign of King Solomon (10th century BCE) in I Kings 10.22. Ancient trade and cultural communication between India and the Levant is documented in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and the accounts surrounding Queen of Sheba in the Hebrew Bible. The trade relations of both communities can be traced back to 1,000 BCE and earlier to the time of the Indus valley civilization of the Indian subcontinent and the Babylonian culture of the Greater Middle East region. A Buddhist story describes Indian merchants visiting Baveru (Babylonia) and selling peacocks for public display. Similar, earlier accounts describe monkeys exhibited to the public. Trade connections between Indus Valley region and Palestine and Mediterranean Jewish communities continued, and later, the languages of these cultures started to share linguistic similarities.

Judea played a minor role in trade between the Roman Empire and Indus Valley area during the period of Roman rule in Judea. It is known that there were expensive garments in the Temple in Jerusalem imported from Indus Valley via Alexandria.

 Countries Voted against Israel in 1948 
Those that voted against were six of the then seven members of the Arab League (Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen) as well as Afghanistan, Burma, Ethiopia, Hindu India, Iran and Pakistan. Those abstaining were: Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, El Salvador, Greece, Siam, Sweden, Republic of Turkey and the United Kingdom. The Soviet Union was the first country to recognize Israel de jure on the 17th of May in 1948, followed by Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Ireland, and South Africa. The United States extended de jure Recognition after the First Zion Israeli election, on the 31st of January in 1949.



Here we overview Muhammad Ali Jinnah stance on Israel according to his statements. In his broadcast speech to the people of U.S.A. on the 14th of February, in 1948,

We must remember that in British India, times were tougher for the Muslims than what Pakistan is facing currently but the founders did not compromise on their scruples even with their backs against the wall. For example, Mr. Jinnah, known even by his rivals as incorruptible, was made several enticing offers from Gandhi, Viceroy Lord Mountbatten, and others to become the first PM of a United India if his demand for Pakistan was renounced – but he never accepted. Mr. Iqbal, as unwavering himself, expressed his fiery passion for Palestine in a letter to Mr. Jinnah, “The Palestine question is very much agitating the minds of the Muslims… Personally I would not mind going to jail on an issue which affects both Islam and India. The formation of a Western base on the very gates of the East is a menace to both.”

Mr. Jinnah and Mr. Iqbal’s examples signify the indefatigable commitment towards Pakistan and Palestine that Pakistanis must exemplify now. Therefore, the country must follow in the steadfast footsteps of the founders and refrain from recognizing Israel – 

Now, even after 75 + years, one can see Why Jinnah was truly a visionary leader who read what was written on the walls of history and his words still echo.

These points prove that the mere proposal of Israeli recognition by Pakistan would defy the stated position of the country's founder. This is why political governments will find it difficult to touch this sensitive issue.

This historical perspective also answers why Pakistan is one of the only countries in the world whose passport is not valid for entry into Israel. This is because Pakistan’s foreign policy cannot defy the vision of its founder, with his principled, categorical stance against Israel even before the creation of Pakistan.

These historical facts also challenge the popular cliché that Pakistan stands with Palestine because its position would otherwise weaken over Indian-administered Kashmir (IIOJK).  Both conflicts have several similarities. There is no doubt that Palestine and Kashmir have historical and political similarities, but Pakistan’s stated position over Palestine is deep-rooted in its creation and will remain an integral part of its foreign policy towards the wider Middle East.  Palestinians have been dispossessed of territory and many forced into exile. Kashmir was handed over from an unpopular ruler without the legitimacy of popular vote to the Indian state on October 26, 1947.

A condition of that accession is the United Nations resolution of 1948 for referendum or plebiscite, never facilitated by the Indian state. Israel and India thus inaugurate the colonial occupations of Palestine and Kashmir. Palestine and Kashmir are two of the world’s most drawn-out and complex conflicts to date. They are multi-dimensional, focusing not only on a territorial epicenter but an ideological one as well. Hafsa Ammar focuses on the several parallels between these two conflicts: a Muslim-majority population, colonialism, regional enmity, geostrategic importance, among others. According to the latest census at the time of the 1948 Catastrophe, with a Palestinian Muslim population of 1,139,995 Arab Muslims out of the total population of 1,908,775 inhabitants respectively.

This is what David Ben-Gurion, The First PM Of Israel Said About Pakistan;

Considering the economic influence of the Jews worldwide and their ability to conspire, Ben Gurion and his successors deserve to be heard and paid attention to intolerance. To the ones who are considering ties with Israel. 

Zionism’s first target

The reasons for Pakistan’s ever-growing economic mess, political mockery, social morass and now the Indian military build-up have been discussed by the Pakistani pundits over the years, and continue to be discussed even today. The numerous conclusions drawn, weird assessments attempted, various logics applied and private “guilty” verdicts passed would not have been required if we had paid heed to what David Ben Gurion, the first Israeli Prime Minister, said long ago (as printed in the Jewish Chronicle, On the 9th of August, 1967).


 References 

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History of Israel
History of Pakistan
Pakistan