A Media Discourse Analysis of the Israel-Palestine Conflict in Pakistan
By Muhammad Azam
How much blood has to be spilled until we understand that land is not holier than people’s lives. —Ilan Leibowitz, Israeli Knesset member, July 2004 The war will end. The leaders will shake hands. The old woman will keep waiting for her martyred son. That girl will wait for her beloved husband. And those children will wait for their hero father. I don’t know who sold our homeland, But I saw who paid the price. —Mahmood Darwish
Introduction
Since the establishment of Israel as a sovereign state, Pakistan is one of many countries that has refused to establish diplomatic relations. There are multiple reasons for this policy including religious solidarity with Palestinians for control of their homeland and their struggle against occupation by Israel, fear of the political backlash from the ultra-radical religious and political groups throughout the Muslim world, and fear of the strong political and religious response from the majority of conservative Muslim countries which frame Israel as an unholy occupier of Palestinian lands with a Zionist design against the whole Arab and Muslim world (Yegar, 2007). Other Muslim countries, including most of the Arab countries, remain reluctant to normalize their ties with Israel. However, more recently, many Arab countries have initiated a process of ‘normalization’ with Israel. In 2020, two Muslim countries, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, established state-level formal ties with Israel (Al Jazeera, 2020a). These regional developments and the changing politics of the Middle East have increased pressure on the Pakistani government to initiate the process of normalization with Israel.
This paper analyzes Pakistan normalizing ties with Israel in the context of recent attacks by Hamas on October 7, and the retaliatory offensive by Israel. This paper presents a two-fold argument. First, while there is widespread anti-Israeli sentiment in Pakistan, there are some voices that have criticized Hamas’ actions. This paper further argues that instead of the anti-Israel politics of the past, both the government and religious parties have shown considerable restraint, and their initial response was not only measured but somewhat reconciliatory towards Israel. Second, both political parties and religious leaders have adopted a strict anti-Israel tone in the political discourse around the current conflict, after Israel invaded Palestine. Increasingly, Muslim countries view Hamas’s attack as the outcome of the state violence by Israel against Palestinians.
I conclude that the political and military persecution of Palestinians would further alienate the Muslim population of many Arab and non-Arab countries, making it difficult for governments to normalize their ties with Israel and therefore compromising future political negotiations.
Impossible path of ‘normalization’ between Israel and Pakistan
There has been considerable media speculation around back-door diplomacy brokered by the United States to normalize ties between Pakistan and Israel. For example, in 2018, an Israeli journalist posted on X (formerly known as Twitter)that a jet traveled from Tel Aviv to Islamabad. The post said, “Israeli bizjet flew from TLV to Islamabad, #Pakistan, on the ground 10 hours, and back to TLV” (Avi Scharf [@avischarf], 2018). This post caused political tension in Pakistan when major opposition parties demanded the government disclose the truth about the “jet landing” issue and its policy on Israel (Syed, 2018). Similarly, the news that there was intense diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to publicly recognize Israel and start formal ties with it in 2020 was confirmed by Imran Khan, the then-prime minister of Pakistan. He stated “Israel's deep influence in the US” was behind the pressure on him and Pakistan to normalize ties with Israel (Middle East Eye, 2020). After this statement, the debate about Pakistan becoming engaged in normalization talks with Israel became so intense that the foreign office publicly refuted this news. In a statement issued on November 24, 2020, the foreign office spokesperson “categorically rejected baseless speculation regarding the possibility of recognition of the State of Israel by Pakistan.” He then stated, “Pakistan steadfastly supports the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination.” He further demanded that “For just and lasting peace, it is imperative to have a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions, with the pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of a viable, independent and contiguous Palestinian State” (Al Jazeera, 2020b). These statements reiterated the stance of the then-prime minister of Pakistan, which he outlined during his address at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly Annual Session in 2019, where he categorically stated “It was our founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who was very clear that there has to be just settlement, a homeland for Palestinians before Pakistan can recognize Israel” (United Nations, 2019).
The Aftermath of the Hamas Attack on Israel: Changed Politics in Pakistan
The most recent attack by the militant group Hamas (Axelrod, 2023) on Israel on October 7 killed 1,300 people and injured 3,227. The counterattack by Israel on Gaza killed over 14,000 people and injured more than 35,000 (ABC News, 2023). It has resulted in the discontinuation of “normalization” talks by Saudi Arabia with Israel (The Times of Israel, 2023) but also has resulted in radicalizing politics around the Israel-Palestine conflict in many Muslim countries including Pakistan. The response to these attacks from politicians and government officeholders reiterated Pakistan’s policy on the Palestine issue. For example, the ex-foreign minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardai posted on X, saying, “I’m deeply concerned at the serious escalation of hostilities between Israeli occupation forces and Palestinians. Pakistan stands for a two-state solution, in line with international law and UN/OIC resolutions. Stance we have consistently advocated including during my term as Chair of CFM of OIC. There’s an urgent need for the international community to come together and work for halting all hostilities and protection of civilians for securing a lasting peace in the Middle East.” Similarly, the Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan has implored the international community to restore peace in the region, while emphasizing the atrocities of Israeli forces in Gaza after the Hamas attack. He posted on X,“We stand in solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine and call for an immediate ceasefire and lifting of the blockade in Gaza. Israel's unjustified targeting of civilians in Gaza is against all principles of civilization and a flagrant violation of international law. Ending the violence needs to be seen in the context of years of usurping and illegal occupation of Palestinian land and oppressive policies against its people.” (Prime Minister’s Office [@PakPMO], 2023). The media in Pakistan categorized this response as measured tone. Traditionally Pakistan has remained a champion of Palestinian rights, but in the current conflict, it has taken a softer stance as compared to the positions taken by other Muslim governments (Aamir, 2023). For example, this stance is considerably toned down as compared to stances from other Muslim leaders, such as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who posted on X, “The confiscation of land and property belonging to the Palestinian people is done relentlessly by the Zionists. As a result of this injustice, hundreds of innocent lives were sacrificed” (Aamir, 2023). The above statements have reinforced the traditional diplomatic and state view on Israel-Palestine, emphasizing that the violence from Hamas must be seen in the context of the illegal occupation of Palestinian land by Israel and not as an isolated incident. However, as is apparent, both the foreign and prime ministers used diplomatic language to denounce the decades-long occupation by Israel of Palestinian lands while emphasizing ending violence and establishing two states, but did not outline the geographical nature of the state of Palestine. Rand analyst Darek Grossman noted the stance from the Pakistani government to be very measured as he noted that “Pakistan, which has been traditionally anti-Israel and pro-Palestine, interestingly goes easy on Israel, simply expressing concerns over the escalating situation” (Derek J. Grossman [@DerekJGrossman], 2023a).
Similarly, the response from religious scholars had been unprecedented. The religious parties in Pakistan had strong and stringent anti-Israel stances and had been at the forefront of radical politics in this matter. For example, while showing solidarity with Hamas and supporting the Palestinian cause, Maulana Fazal Ur-Rehman, the leader of the ultra-religious political party Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam stated “Hamas should respect the rights of children and women in Israel” (Geo News, 2023). Similarly, another popular religious scholar, Muhammad Ali Mirza has branded the activities of Hamas as “militant,” further denouncing the unprovoked attacks on civilians and categorizing such attacks to be against the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza - Official Channel, 2023).
The Aftermath of Israel’s Attacks on Gaza: Back to Square One
Israel launched a counterattack on Gaza as a measure of self-defense. These attacks, which have killed civilians, women, children, and hospitals have inflamed the anti-Israel politics in many Muslim countries including Pakistan (Derek J. Grossman[@DerekJGrossman], 2023b). For example, the Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, severely criticized the Israeli siege of Palestine. He stated “There is absolutely no doubt that Israel has committed aggression. They have conducted airstrikes on the civilian population which has resulted in the death of several innocent men, women, and children.” He further added “This is a situation that can be equated with genocide. Matter of fact it is a genocide being conducted by Israel against the poor people of Palestine” (The Dawn, 2023). Although, the Pakistani government has been critical of the Israeli government in the past, equating these attacks by Israel on Gaza as “genocide” is a nadir in history and would take a lot of political healing to change this narrative initiated by the foreign office of Pakistan. Similarly, the former Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif not only ‘legitimized’ the attacks by Hamas but also out what a Palestinian state would look like. He posted “I am not surprised by today's events. What else can one expect when Israel continues to deny Palestinians their legitimate right to self-determination and statehood? What else, after daily provocations, attacks by occupation forces and settlers, and raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque and other holy sites of Christianity and Islam?” (Shehbaz Sharif [@CMShehbaz], 2023). Sharif justified the attacks by Hamas due to Israel's occupation and continuous attacks on Palestinian settlements as well as on their religious sites. He went further to announce that everlasting peace in the region will not be possible without a two-state solution. He wrote on “The world must recognize that durable peace requires: ending occupation of Palestinian land, recognizing the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, and upholding Palestinians' right to independence and sovereignty” (Shehbaz Sharif [@CMShehbaz], 2023).
The attacks by Israel on Gaza, and the muted response of the Western world on the human losses in Palestine have not only agitated the public sentiments in most of the Muslim world but also hardened religious politics in Pakistan. For example, Maulana Fazal Ur-Rehman, who was critical of Hamas's attack on women and children, withdrew his earlier statement that Hamas’ attack on civilians was not right. He criticized Israel for attacks on Gaza, and the Western world for their hypocritical standards on the loss of innocent lives. He tweeted “Israeli extremists have escalated their brutality & they are attacking the civilian population of Palestine, targeting hospitals, schools, and water resources. However, the so-called civilized world remains silent & the western society again exhibiting a stark contrast and double standards. The global community, especially the Muslim Ummah, should take notice of Israel's inhuman & brutal actions” (Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman [@MoulanaOfficial], 2023).
Conclusion:
This paper analyzed the politics in Pakistan after Hamas attacked Israel which resulted in civilian casualties. It was argued that Hamas’s attack on the civilian population and the resultant casualties of women and children were seen in politically transformed ways. Pakistani politicians and religious leaders saw these attacks as a violation of human rights and appeal was made to all the stakeholders for restraint and a peaceful solution to the conflict. This paper also held that not only did the past radicalized politics against Israel become normalized to some extent but also indicated a matured political sensibility that the issue could not be solved by militant and unprovoked attacks by any of the parties.
However, the political narrative changed after Israel started attacks on Gaza, and the reports of civilian casualties especially of women and children were reported in the media. The government and the religious leaders not only openly justified Hamas's attacks as an outcome of the Israeli’s continued violence against Palestinians but also criticized the Western world for doing little to ensure peace in the region.
The continued occupation and siege of Gaza by Israel would not only alienate public sentiment in the Muslim World but also hamper the normalization efforts between the Muslim world and Israel. The current estrangements can jeopardize the peace in the Middle East and therefore the United Nations and the Western world should broker a peace bargain between the two parties with a timeline for implementing a two-state solution as per the United Nations mandate.
References
Aamir, A. (2023). Pakistan adopts careful tone on Israel, experts read between lines. Nikkei Asia. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Israel-Hamas-war/Pakistan-adopts-careful-tone-on-Israel-experts-read-between-lines
ABC News. (2023). Israel-Gaza live updates: Israeli military prepares for “significant ground operation.” ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-gaza-hamas/?id=103804516
Al Jazeera. (2020a). Israel, UAE and Bahrain sign US-brokered normalisation deals | Donald Trump News | Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/15/israel-uae-and-bahrain-sign-us-brokered-normalisation-deals
Al Jazeera. (2020b). Pakistan ‘categorically’ rejects reports about recognising Israel. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/25/pakistan-categorically-rejects-reports-about-recognising-israel
avi scharf [@avischarf]. (2018, October 25). Israeli 🇮🇱 bizjet flew from TLV to Islamabad, #Pakistan 🇵🇰, on the ground 10 hours, and back to TLV. Cleared flight-plan with usual 5min groundtime trick in Amman M-ULTI glex https://t.co/haHn1NU73L [Tweet]. Twitter.
https://twitter.com/avischarf/status/1055387120662208512
Axelrod, T. (2023). What is Hamas? The militant group behind surprise attack on Israel has ruled Gaza for years. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/International/hamas-militant-group-surprise-attack-israel-ruled-gaza/story?id=103818777
Derek J. Grossman[@DerekJGrossman]. (2023a, October 13). Derek J. Grossman on X. X (Formerly Twitter).
https://twitter.com/DerekJGrossman/status/1712979995650592796
Derek J. Grossman[@DerekJGrossman]. (2023b, October 15). Derek J. Grossman on X. X (Formerly Twitter).
https://twitter.com/DerekJGrossman/status/1713639914011820305
Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza - Official Channel (Director). (2023, October 8). 😭 Why HAMAS Attacked ISRAEL ??? 😭 What to do for MUSLIMS of GAZA ??? By Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza.
Geo News (Director). (2023, October 9). Israel-Hamas conflict: Please respect human rights: Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman [@MoulanaOfficial]. (2023, October 11). Israeli extremists have escalated their brutality & they are attacking civilian population of Palestine, targeting hospitals, schools, water resources. However, the so called civilised world remains silent & the western society again exhibiting a stark contrast and double… [Tweet]. Twitter.
https://twitter.com/MoulanaOfficial/status/1712040284853514636
Middle East Eye. (2020). Pakistan under pressure to recognise Israel, says Imran Khan. Middle East Eye. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/pakistan-israel-under-pressure-recognise-imran-khan
Prime Minister’s Office [@PakPMO]. (2023, October 16).[Tweet]. Twitter.
https://twitter.com/PakPMO/status/1713791997956456907
Shehbaz Sharif [@CMShehbaz]. (2023, October 7). Ending Israel’s illegal occupation, settlement expansion on Palestinian land, and oppression against innocent Palestinians are key for peace, justice, and prosperity in the region. I am not surprised by today’s events. What else can one expect when Israel continues to deny… [Tweet]. Twitter.
https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1710650751934976132
Syed, B. S. (2018). Uproar over claim about Israeli jet landing in Islamabad. DAWN.COM. https://www.dawn.com/news/1441902
The Dawn. (2023). FM Jilani equates Israeli strikes, blockade of Gaza to genocide against Palestinians. DAWN.COM. https://www.dawn.com/news/1781220
The Times of Israel. (2023). Saudis said to put Israel normalization talks ‘on ice’ amid Gaza war. https://www.timesofisrael.com/saudis-said-to-put-israel-normalization-talks-on-ice-amid-gaza-war/
United Nations (Director). (2019, September 27). 🇵🇰 Pakistan—Prime Minister Addresses General Debate, 74th Session.
Yegar, M. (2007). Pakistan and Israel. Jewish Political Studies Review, 125–141.
