Israel Condemns Pakistan Minister's Remarks on Lebanon Ahead of US-Iran Talks

A diplomatic rift has emerged between Israel and Pakistan just days before Islamabad hosts crucial peace talks between the United States and Iran, prompted by inflammatory social media comments from Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accusing Israel of genocide in Lebanon.

On Thursday, Asif posted on X, formerly Twitter, describing Israel as "evil" and a "curse for humanity," and alleging that "genocide is being committed in Lebanon" even as peace efforts unfold in Islamabad. He wrote, "Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated." In a particularly pointed remark, Asif added, "I hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European Jews burn in hell."

Israel's Prime Minister's Office swiftly condemned the statements as "outrageous," arguing they undermine Pakistan's claim to neutrality in regional diplomacy. "Pakistan Defence Minister's call for Israel's annihilation is outrageous," the office said in a post on X. "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."...