Pakistan and the Question of Recognising Israel Historical Issues and Future Prospects

In the first decade of twentieth century British empire faced several challenges from the restless native population in great Britain respective colonies. In order to restore British influence & national interest Great Britain supported Balfour declaration on the land of Palestine. From that day Israel acts as outpost at Muslim heartland in Middle East. Legitimacy of Israel is a state one of the most barbed & intricated issue in the world particularly in Muslim countries.

Historically Pakistan & Israel are not directly engaged in any hostility with each other. Pakistan didn’t support Israel since its inception because its historic/religious support to the Palestine Issue. Before independence of the subcontinent, Indian national congress & Muslim league staunchly opposed Israel as a state on the land of Palestine. The same Muslim leadership after creation of Pakistan showed extreme detest to the state of Israel. Legitimacy of Israel as a state has been a controversial issue particularly in Muslim world. Which thconsidered as imposed decision.  Pakistan incessant support to the Palestine cause is purely ideological association with the people of Palestine. The first Prime Minister of Israel, Bengurion wrote a letter to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah asking to establish diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries so they can “TRADE”….

 Jinnah wrote this as a reply!

 “Every man and woman of the Muslim world will die before Jewry seizes Jerusalem. I hope the Jews will not succeed in their nefarious designs and I wish Britain and America should keep their hand off and then I will see how the Jews conquer Jerusalem. The Jews, over half a million, have already been accommodated in Jerusalem against the wishes of the people. May I know which other country has accommodated them? If domination and exploitation are carried now, there will be no peace and end of wars”.

Despite opposite sentiments in the masses first time in Mushraf era it was believed that Pakistan is going to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. It was broadly discussed at the academic level & state level. Many suggestions were presented, debated in very forum. Personally Musharraf was eager to reshape decades long hostile relations with an undeclared enemy.

Pakistan has been in contact covertly with Israel on many occasions. After 9/11 Pakistan desired to change its different stance against Israel. Both countries allegedly involved against each other in different covert missions. Pakistan helped Arab alliance against Israel during Arab Israel wars. Pakistan air force pilot physically involved against Israel. Pakistani air force training to Arab Pilots were noted as undefined enemy. Israel India secret operation against Pakistan nuclear program in 1980 was exposed by CIA agents where they need Pakistan support against Soviet Union in Afghanistan.

A discourse on recognition Israel.

Anti-Israel feelings is popular among public in Pakistan. It is argued that Pakistan pursued dual policy against Israel on masses level extreme hate & officially Pakistan do not speak usually anything regarding any contact or talk With Jewish State Israel. The popular pursing in Musharraf Era was widely discussed on different forums. Antagonism with Israel was an unjustifiable reason to Musharraf he believed that if Arab countries making good ties with Israel than why not Pakistan which has no direct clash with the state of Israel.

India factor

India which supported non alignment movements being a front line state supported Palestine cause in early decades. A major breakthrough came into being after 1990 when India officially recognised Israel as a state & made warm ties reciprocally. India Israel bonhomie were widely criticised in Pakistan & Arab countries. Pakistan tilt toward Israel was natural in Musharraf era. Israel is now a key strategic ally of India. According to both countries they face the same issues from their respective neighbours. India is the largest trade partner of Israel after 9/11.

Both countries relations have been encouraged in military domain. Israel is now top military supplier to India.

Israel providing intelligence & logistics support to India in India held Kashmir. Israel sell billions of worth military equipment to Israel. AWACS ,Barak-8 ,Night vision camerassensors mostly deployed on LOC & working boundary ,Radars heavy artillery, & other sophisticated military hardware. This kind of one sided romanticism badly disrupt concept of ‘ Balance of Power in the region notably in favour of Pakistan.

Religious structure of our society & education curriculum is widely considered two main reason of hatred & repulsion. Any diplomatic approach or formal in touch with Israel might create mass agitation in the masses.. Dr Yegar a retired diplomat of Israel analysed that the main reason for Pakistan policy toward Israel are:

(1) religious solidarity of Pakistan with Arab Muslim countries

 (2) fear of an adverse response from radical Islamist group in the world

  (3) concern that diplomatic ties with Israel may cause of internal instability in Pakistan.

Israel always wished to establish diplomatic ties with Pakistan. To them Pakistan can play magnificent role as bridge between Israel & other Muslim countries like Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia etc. Pakistan which  possess nuclear weapons strong military equipped with modern necessities & an important country in Muslim world is a keen desire of Israel to develop formal ties With Pakistan. Pakistan can mitigate growing hatred against Israel in Muslim world. In current circumstances, it’s far difficult for Pakistan to move forward. Jerusalem as new capital of Israel, Trump century deal, Pakistan, Turkey Malaysia leading stance for Muslim unity, Indian lobby in US & decade long strategic partnership with Israel, Israel Iran skirmishes in Middle East, are the potential threats to thwart Pakistan soft corner for Israel in near future.

Despite Pakistan staunch perpetual support to Palestine cause & Arab solidarity Most Arab states are quick to deny any official or covert ties with Israel, but were unable to keep the lid on their dealings with Tel Aviv for too long. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself has gone on record revealing that his country maintains unofficial ties with a broad range of Arab states.

1. Saudi Arabia Israel &Saudi Arabia share same animosity with Iran,anti-Iran proxies in the region same stance against Bashar regime in Syrian giving favour to both countries covert relations.

2. UAE both states secretly involved in high profile engagement Soon after, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visited Oman in late October 2018, Israeli Minister of Culture Miri Regev was on a four-day visit to Abu Dhabi.Regev is a hardline conservative with a reputation for racist, provocative statements even within Israel. She was welcomed by local officials and given a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque alongside UAE officials the next day

During Regev’s visit, Israel’s national anthem, Hatikvah, was played for the first time in Abu Dubai

3. Egypt

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s Egypt maintained, “no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with it” — a rallying cry that most Arab countries would adhere to for decades. But not Egypt.

Today, Egypt and Israel share a close relationship. In coordination with Egyptian authorities, Israel regularly carries out airstrikes in northern Sinai.

Security cooperation notwithstanding, Israel exports natural gas to Egypt after a $15 billion deal signed in 2018.

Egypt’s top generals have worked closely with their Israeli counterparts since the Camp David accords of 1978. Egyptian security forces work with Israel to enforce restrictions on movement in and out of the Gaza Strip, while Egyptian and Israeli intelligence cooperate actively.

4. Jordan

Israel and Jordan have straightforward ties. Israel needs Jordan as a security buffer, and Jordan needs Israel’s water and economic stability.

5. Oman

On October 25 2018, Netanyahu visited Oman for high-profile talks with Sultan Qaboos bin Said, just days after talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas.

Oman has held cordial ties with Israel as far back as 1994, and tried to leverage its position as a mediator between all.

Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan has the similar unofficial ties with Israel. Pakistan is stuck in the whirlpool of complexity either to accept Israel is a state or to maintain decades long hostile  relations with Israel.

Conclusion

Regarding recognition of Israel as legitimate state we should keep in mind that unlike past when a slight hint would create uproar the opposing voices is not so strong now a day’s & large number of people has supported the Idea of recognition of Israel. But seems far difficult due to certain rising queries. Any vivid move might turn thing’s to an unprecedented subversion. Pakistan is still waiting for such a clue.