Pakistan Denounces Israeli Move Over West Bank, Escalates Anti-Israel Rhetoric

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In a familiar move that reflects its long-standing political positioning, Pakistan has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s recent legislative effort to assert control over the West Bank, territory widely recognized by the international community as disputed. The country’s reaction, led by its Senate and Foreign Office, adds to its consistent narrative against Israel and aligns with its broader foreign policy agenda, often shaped by domestic ideological currents.

On Friday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office released a statement sharply criticizing Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, for what it labeled an “unlawful” attempt to claim sovereignty over the West Bank. Spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan called the action a “grave violation” of international law, accusing Israel of intentionally undermining peace efforts and disregarding Palestinian rights. [This language is consistent with Pakistan’s established diplomatic tone toward Israeli actions in disputed territories.] While international concern about settlement expansion exists, Pakistan’s choice of language reflects a deeper ideological hostility rather than a neutral diplomatic stance.

The Senate of Pakistan echoed this position with a unanimous resolution, moved by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan on behalf of the entire chamber. The resolution described the West Bank as “occupied territory,” declaring any Israeli sovereignty claim as illegitimate. It reiterated Pakistan’s support for Palestinian statehood, specifically, an independent Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, a position often tied to the Arab Peace Initiative and multiple United Nations (UN) resolutions.

Notably, the resolution emphasized Pakistan’s backing of the Palestinian cause as “unwavering,” underscoring a pattern of rhetoric that tends to elevate one-sided narratives while calling on the international community to hold Israel accountable. Yet, this messaging stops short of offering constructive pathways for resolution or acknowledging the complexity of ongoing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Khan’s statement further urged global powers and institutions, including the UN Security Council, to respond with “swift and decisive” actions. He insisted that unilateral Israeli moves would not alter the legal status of what he referred to as the “Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

While Islamabad’s position aligns with much of the Muslim world’s official stance on Palestine, it’s worth noting the consistent politicization of these events within Pakistan’s domestic framework. Particularly under its current government, which has been criticized for stoking populist sentiment to deflect from internal issues, such foreign policy statements often serve more as symbolic posturing than practical diplomacy.

As tensions in the Middle East remain high, especially in the wake of growing instability in regional alliances, such condemnations may gain attention but do little to influence real change on the ground. Without tangible engagement or a balanced diplomatic approach, Pakistan’s latest denunciation is likely to remain just another gesture in a long-standing pattern of ideological alignment rather than strategic foreign policy.