The question of whether Pakistan should recognize Israel has gained renewed prominence in global discussions, largely fuelled by the Abraham Accords and the intense, ongoing conflict in the Middle East. For Pakistan, a country founded on an ideological basis and a strong commitment to the Muslim Ummah, the issue remains deeply complex, rooted in history, domestic politics, and regional geopolitics.
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The Foundational Principle: Quaid-e-Azam’s Vision:
Pakistan’s non-recognition policy is fundamentally linked to the vision of its founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who was an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause. Jinnah consistently held that the right to self-determination for the Palestinian people must be secured before the establishment of a Jewish state could be acknowledged. This principled stance—that recognition is contingent upon a just settlement—is still the bedrock of Pakistan’s foreign policy narrative.
Pakistan’s Official Policy and Recent Reinforcement (Latest Updates):
Successive governments in Islamabad have maintained a firm and publicly vocal position, which has been vigorously reaffirmed in recent diplomatic engagements:
Pakistan will not recognize Israel until a viable, independent, and contiguous Palestinian state is established within the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (East Jerusalem) as its capital.
Current Context and Diplomatic Activity (Real-Time Updates):
In light of the recent military actions and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Pakistan’s diplomatic activity has amplified:
- UN General Assembly (UNGA) Stance: Pakistani leadership, including the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, have utilized recent UNGA sessions to unequivocally reiterate support for Palestine, condemning the humanitarian situation and calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and accountability for actions in the occupied territories.
- Rejection of Internal Pressure: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has issued strong statements categorically rejecting any media speculation or internal pressure regarding a potential policy shift toward recognizing Israel. This came amidst domestic political controversy surrounding reports about individuals with pro-Israel views accompanying a Pakistani delegation to the UN, which the MoFA strongly distanced itself from.
- Support for Two-State Solution: Islamabad’s continued focus is on mobilising the international community and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to push for the two-state solution as the only path to lasting regional peace.
Core Barriers to Recognition:
Pakistan’s refusal to establish formal ties with Israel is shaped by deep-seated factors:
- Moral and Ideological Imperative: Standing with the Palestinian right to freedom and statehood is considered a core ethical and religious responsibility that unifies large segments of the population.
- Domestic Political Sensitivity: Any move toward normalization would face fierce and potentially destabilizing opposition from religious, nationalist, and mainstream political groups, who view Israel as an occupying power.
- The Kashmir-Palestine Link: Pakistani foreign policy strategically draws a parallel between the occupation of Palestinian territories and India’s actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Recognizing Israel prematurely, critics argue, would fatally undermine Pakistan’s moral and legal argument for Kashmiri self-determination.
Lessons from the Region: The Abraham Accords:
While the Abraham Accords saw several Arab and Muslim-majority states—such as the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco—normalize relations with Israel, these decisions were largely driven by specific economic, security, and strategic interests in a rapidly changing Middle East. Pakistan’s foreign policy, by contrast, has historically prioritised a broader sense of Muslim solidarity and public sentiment over pragmatic regional interests, maintaining its exceptional stance.
Exploring the Pragmatic Advantages of Recognition (A Balanced Perspective):
While the official policy is firm, open discussions persist in policy circles regarding the potential benefits a policy shift could offer Pakistan. These arguments are framed cautiously to appeal to national interest without fully disregarding the Palestinian issue:
| Area | Potential Advantage for Pakistan | Nuance (The Pakistani Context) |
| Economic and Technological Cooperation | Access to world-leading Israeli expertise in water management, desalination, and agri-technology. This is crucial for Pakistan, a country facing severe water scarcity. | This collaboration could focus purely on non-political, survival-critical technology to address the country’s domestic crisis. |
| Strategic Influence and Diplomacy | Establishing a formal diplomatic presence could allow Pakistan to move from a position of rhetorical supporter to an active diplomatic stakeholder in future Middle East peace processes. | This would allow Pakistan to engage directly with all regional powers, not just one side, to push for the two-state solution on the ground. |
| Improved Ties with the West | Normalization could significantly improve Pakistan’s relationship with the United States and other Western allies where the ‘Israel factor’ plays an influential role in bilateral relations. | Improved relations and better leverage in Washington could translate into economic aid and support on other diplomatic fronts. |
| Religious Access (People-to-People) | Facilitating travel and pilgrimage for Pakistani Muslims to Al-Aqsa Mosque and other sacred Islamic sites in Jerusalem. | Direct access would remove the logistical and political barriers currently faced by Pakistani citizens seeking to visit the third holiest site in Islam. |
The Road Ahead: A Distant Horizon:
For now, Pakistan’s policy is unlikely to change. The internal consensus and the ideological commitment to Palestine remain too potent for any government to risk a unilateral shift. The recognition of Israel will continue to be conditional on a just and comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue, aligned with international resolutions and satisfactory to the Palestinian people. Until a viable Palestinian state—with East Jerusalem as its capital—is a reality, the possibility of Pakistan establishing diplomatic ties with Israel remains highly distant.
