Israel sharply criticises Pakistan defence minister’s remarks, raising concerns over neutrality as ceasefire confusion deepens and military operations in Lebanon continue amid rising regional tensions.
Khawaja Asif’s remarks trigger a strong response from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar | Left: Reuters via ANI; Right: X
Israel has hit back strongly at Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif after his remarks on the Jewish state, warning that such statements undermine any claim of neutrality and pledging to defend itself against those seeking its destruction.
In a sharp response, Israeli leaders said the comments come at a sensitive moment, with ceasefire efforts and proposed talks in Islamabad already facing uncertainty. The remarks, they indicated, could further strain an already fragile situation.
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticised Asif’s language, calling it deeply offensive and dangerous. In a post on X, he said Israel views such accusations seriously and described them as hostile rhetoric against the Jewish state.
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“Israel views very gravely these blatant antisemitic blood libels from a government claiming to “mediate peace”. Calling the Jewish state “cancerous” is effectively calling for its annihilation. Israel will defend itself against terrorists who vow its destruction,” Sa’ar said in a post on X.
Israel views very gravely these blatant antisemitic blood libels from a government claiming to “mediate peace”.
Calling the Jewish state “cancerous” is effectively calling for its annihilation.
Israel will defend itself against terrorists who vow its destruction. https://t.co/CCMveNi9Qu— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) April 9, 2026
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office also reacted strongly, saying such remarks cannot come from a country positioning itself as a neutral mediator.
“Pakistan Defence Minister’s call for Israel’s annihilation is outrageous. This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace,” it said.
The Prime Minister’s Office:
Pakistan Defence Minister’s call for Israel’s annihilation is outrageous. This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 9, 2026
The response followed a series of posts by Asif, in which he described Israel as “evil” and accused it of carrying out killings in Lebanon even as diplomatic efforts were underway.
“Israel is evil and a curse for humanity, while peace talks are underway in Islamabad, genocide is being committed in Lebanon. Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated,” Asif said.
“I hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews burn in hell,” he added.
Israeli officials said such statements risk worsening tensions and could complicate any diplomatic engagement linked to ongoing regional developments.
The controversy has also drawn attention to confusion around a proposed two-week ceasefire. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier suggested that Lebanon was part of the arrangement, a claim rejected by both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu reiterated that there is no ceasefire in Lebanon and said military operations against Hezbollah would continue.
“I wish to inform you: There is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we restore your security,” he said.
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