Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has triggered a diplomatic row by describing Israel as “evil” and a “curse for humanity” over its Lebanon offensive during the US-Iran ceasefire, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hitting back.
“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. I hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European Jews burn in hell,” Asif had posted on X.
The tweet was unavailable at the time of writing.
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The Israeli Prime Minister's office responded, “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.”
The Prime Minister's Office:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 9, 2026
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.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has openly criticised Pakistan's leadership, marking an uncommon diplomatic exchange between countries that do not share official links
Sa'ar criticised remarks he called “blatant antisemitic blood libels”, arguing that branding Israel as “cancerous” endorses its destruction. He added that Israel would act decisively against those seeking its downfall.
“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,” he posted on X.
Israel views very gravely these blatant antisemitic blood libels from a government claiming to “mediate peace”.
— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) April 9, 2026
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
Tensions have flared at a crucial diplomatic juncture, with Pakistan credited for assisting in a temporary US–Iran ceasefire. Separately, reports suggest Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had reached out to Islamabad seeking support for an immediate cessation of Israeli strikes.
The war expanded into Lebanon on March 2 when Hezbollah targeted Israeli territory with rockets, citing revenge for the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading to Israeli retaliation.
Heavy Israeli bombardment across Lebanon on Wednesday left hundreds dead, marking the most severe escalation since Hezbollah joined the war and putting strain on the newly agreed US–Iran truce.
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