‘Evil’: Pak minister riles Israel, retracts after row

FURORE | Asif deletes ‘curse for humanity’ post after drawing backlash from Netanyahu before US-Iran peace talks in Pak

Agencies

Jerusalem

Calling Israel “evil and a curse for humanity,” Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif (L) sparked a diplomatic controversy on Friday before deleting the post following sharp criticism from Tel Aviv.

In his post on X, Asif wrote that as “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. I hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews (sic) burn in hell.”

It sparked outcry in Israel, which said it called into question Pakistan’s ability to mediate between the United States and Iran.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Pakistan 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,” his office posted on X.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned what he described as “blatant antisemitic blood libels” and warned that labelling Israel as “cancerous” effectively calls for its destruction. 

He said that Israel would “defend itself against terrorists who vow its destruction”.

Reuven Azar, Israel’s envoy to India, remarked that Tel Aviv does not consider Pakistan a credible intermediary in peace talks.

US Congressman Josh Gottheimer also criticised the remarks, calling them “vile rhetoric targeting Jews and Israel”. He said: “Hateful rhetoric like this is beyond unacceptable and unproductive at this fragile moment. This is not diplomacy and must be condemned.”

Don, Keir discuss need for ‘practical plan’ on Hormuz

British PM Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump on Thursday agreed the “need for a practical plan” to get shipping moving again through the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Iran ceasefire, the UK leader's office said. The two leaders “agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution”.

“The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible,” and agreed to speak again, No.10 said. Starmer arrived in Qatar on Thursday on the latest leg of a trip to discuss the war and the ceasefire with Gulf leaders. Earlier, Starmer said, “Let’s be really clear about it, they’re wrong. That shouldn’t be happening, that should stop, that’s my strong view.”

He called this a “matter of principles”, acknowledging he did not have full details of the ceasefire deal. Starmer slammed Trump’s rhetoric on Iran, saying he would “never use” such a threat as “a whole civilisation will die tonight”.

Starmer was in Bahrain, having met the Saudi and UAE leaders. He rejected a suggestion from Iran it could charge for letting ships use the vital waterway, saying: “Our position is ‘open’ means open for safe navigation.” “That means toll-free navigation and vessels can get through.”