Pakistan Reaffirms Stance on Israel Amid Reports of Journalists’ Visit
Key Points:
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Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has reiterated that its position on Israel remains unchanged.
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The government does not recognize Israel and continues to support Palestinian rights.
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Pakistani passports explicitly prohibit travel to Israel, making such visits officially impossible.
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The FO reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
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The clarification follows reports from The Jerusalem Post that 11 Pakistani journalists visited Israel in a trip organized by the Israeli NGO Sharaka.
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Reports suggest the delegation met Israeli officials and visited key sites, entering Israel via a third country to avoid passport restrictions.
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The revelation has sparked debate in Pakistan, with critics questioning how such a visit occurred despite official travel restrictions.
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Similar visits have been organized previously by Israel and supporting NGOs to build pro-Israel sentiment in Pakistan.
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Anti-Israel sentiment in Pakistan remains strong, particularly due to Israel’s actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.
The Pakistani government has firmly denied any policy shift regarding Israel, stressing its continued support for Palestine. The controversy surrounding the journalists’ visit has ignited domestic debate, reflecting the deep-rooted opposition to Israel in Pakistan.
