Pakistan does not have any dispute directly with the state of Israel. Since 1948, we have refused to recognize the state of Israel to show solidarity with our muslim "brothers" in Palestine. Those muslim brothers usually characterize their dispute with Israel as Arab vs Jew and are not fixated on muslim identity, per se. Not only that, but these muslim "brothers" will never support Pakistan on any of our issues. So its more a Give Give relationship. Despite all that, as humans and muslims our hearts still go out to the people of Palestine, and there is nothing better we'd like than for them to have a state, self-rule, security and opportunity to live normal and productive lives.
Muslims states surrounding Israel had tried the military route atleast twice since 1967. Failed. Due to a variety of reasons, Israel is pulling out of some settlements and building a wall to keep Palestinians inside, and Israelis out of trouble. These are the kind of issues that need negotiations and all parties to talk with each other. Not that Pakistan has much to say on any of these issues, as these are primarily a Palestinians and Israeli discussion topic, Pakistan should focus on our own national interests and make decisions that are good for our country and our people. And not necessarily based on screwed up foreign policies and illusions of grandeur by some Arab countries.
Having said that, I am really surprised at the enthusiasm and excitement in Israel over these overtures. Why is Pakistan so important to Israel? Don't they have bigger fish to fry?
No matter what the mattoos here try to label pakistan as, Pakistan is a moderate Isalmic country and Israel knows that and also knows that Pakistan has the best muslim-diplomats, so Israel has used and uses Pakistan to make its case in the rest of the illiterate Araboobi world.
yeah exactly…many other arab brethren have already established ties with isreal…and why didn’t we have any relations with isreal due to the arab brothers…its time we think abt ourselves…
BTW the last i heard was that palestinians don’t like Pakistan…Yasir arafat used to support India…
nahi yaar. dont get me wrong. palestinians arent bad or they dont think lowly of us. Problem is, Kashmir is a bigger concern. Because more then billion peoples lives would be at stake if india pakistan go to war. Not to mention the threat of nuclear warfare. As opposed to palestine, whose relevance is only palestinians and israelis.
The arab "street" has done nothing to help us, take our side, or take a strong stance against India. Instead they have been inviting and helping indian companies, being buddy buddies with india. What do they expect in return. We shouldn't be foolish. Help yourself, then when you are in position to do so, help someone.
just my opinion though.
im enjoying this threadis becoming interesting. im jsut trying to create a discussion sowe can reach a consensus. Spock u really dont get the aim of gup shup do u!!
so what will pakistan get in return!!! who will be the losers and the winners!! who benefits most of all. who is behind this move!! are there any other exterior motives?? will ISreal intervene regarding KAshmir and mediate !! u do no that only pro USa arab countries have ties wiht ISreal?? should we not be inteh middle!! moderate !!
well er according to our Kasuri saab, Pakistan has had a relationship with Israel for past the ten years, only now its just come in to the open.
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri said on Monday that Pakistan had clandestine contacts with Israel for the past decade, but met publicly with the Jewish state for the first time in Istanbul on September 1.
Whatever Pakistan wants to get from a friendly country!
Work hard and you will be a winner. Follow MAToos and Arrabobs and you will be thrown to the bottom of hell where you’ll reside forever i.e. the worst loser.
For sane Pakistanis, President Musharraf is behind the move.
For Arrabobs and MAToos, their God Amreeka is behind the move. Kapeesh!!
Israel is country of 7 million, around the size of Lahore. What do you expect from a tiny country? Sure that tiny country wooped Arrabobs for the last 60 years. Still Kashmir issue is between two giants Pakistan, and Bharat. Israel will probably remain on the sidelines.
Saudi is pro-US and still have no ties with Israel. Who are you worried about? Syria and the Iranian MAToos? Hahah. Since when these little birdies going to direct Pakistan’s policies.
Moderate! Sure we are moderate when we accept the reality that Israel do exist and it has every right to exist regardless of what bunch of Arrabobs have to say on this issue.
there is absolutely no harm in extending a hand of friendship towards Israel. The feeling is shared and as said above there have been contacts at the state level but they were rather low profile. I believe we should have done this way back in the 90's. Anyhow, its never too late and by the way no need to get all frustrated about this whole issue. We aren't gonna recognise Israel until the Palestinian issue is resolved amicably.
I guess what prevented us was the public opinion on the home front because it 's not just the religious parties but many people from different walks of life also do not approve of Pakistan taking any such initiative, on moral grounds.Secondly, our largest benefectors Saudi Arabia and UAE had not recognised Israel, so we also were faced with some problem at that front. I believe that Pakistan has taken this move only after allaying the fears of these countries and apprising them of our limitations.
Its a good 'strategic' move particulary at a time when the noose is tightening around our neck for our alleged role in the nuclear blackmarket. We need to think rationally and keep pur national interest infront of us.
Good point…so long as it remains unsettled, it creates a good diversion.
Bottom line, if the Israeli’s pull out of West bank, Gaza, and settle the status of Jerusalam in a resonable way…Pakistan should recognize Israel without thought and delay.
I’m starting to wonder if Pakistan is trying to (in part) restart the initiative of states like Saudi and Jordan…pretty much, what Pakistan is telling Israel now days sounds like the Saudi proposal made a few years back (but which was categorically rejected by America and Israel at the time - damn neocons).
IF, and this may be a big if, other Muslim countries joining in means that we can deal with Israel without American interference, then that is a possible benifit to all this! They are horrible middle-men, and do not have the best interests of either Israel or Palestine at heart.
SEminole same can be said of Israel selling Arms to India. But to move beyond this there has to be better relationships between 2 countries.
everryone else
yeah ther eis the palestine issue, but does everyone here really think that no discussion is what will make it happen? I mean why dont we stop talking to Russia because of the deal in Chechnya?
By the same token, why are arab countries on great terms with India and Russia?
are no arab muslims and their territorial disputes not at important as those of arabs?
Right on! Palistine is an arrabob issue. Pakistan should support it but not at the cost of messing up with other countries. Kashmir and Chechniya clearly show that Arrabobs don’t care what happens to the poor Ajamis.
So what if Yasir Arafat showed his unconditional LOVE for Indians and supported them on their stance on kashmir.
Pakistanis have supported Palestinian cause in every possible way, there wasn’t a single day when Palestine issue wasn’t covered in our media. We have almost nothing to do with ISRAELIS whereas Indians are probably their biggest allies after USA and what does Mr Arafat ( Palestinian rep) gives in return??? He only worried about himslef and his nation.
Before anyone calls me a Kafir:p , i can tell you that i FULLY support palestinians and their cause and never ever had any soft corner for ISRAEL and probably never will untill they give Palestinians their due rights BUT just because we support Palestinians doesn’t mean that we can’t even talk to ISRAEL, we should DEFINITELY talk to them and improve our relations mainly for the sake of diplomacy.
Funny thing is that even PALESTINIANS themselves are TALKING to Israel and things are getting a bit better between them and us Pakistanis don’t even wanna talk to them:confused:
