ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday warned Israel is planning to entrench its occupation of Palestinian territories in complete disregard of international law and global efforts to bring peace to the Middle East, citing recent statements by Israeli leaders indicating expansionist ambitions.
Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a media outlet he felt a “deep connection” to the vision of a “Greater Israel,” referencing his country’s rule not only over the occupied Palestinian territories but also parts of Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Separately, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israeli government would expand settlement construction in the occupied West Bank to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”
Addressing a weekly media briefing in Islamabad, foreign office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan condemned the remarks, calling them a violation of international law and an attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians.
“Such statements reflect the occupying power’s intention to entrench its illegal occupation, as well as its complete contempt for all international efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the region,” Khan said.
“The international community must take immediate and tangible measures to prevent the occupying power from further destabilizing the region and to end its ongoing crimes and atrocities against Palestinians,” he continued.
Khan added that Pakistan rejects Israel’s expansionist narrative, calling it a violation of the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions.
“Pakistan reaffirms its full support for the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, including the right to self-determination and establishment of an independent, viable and contiguous state of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,” he said.
In a joint statement issued earlier in August, the foreign ministers of Arab and other Muslim countries denounced Netanyahu’s “Greater Israel” remark, calling it “a direct threat to Arab national security, to the sovereignty of states, and to regional and international peace and security.”
The comments also prompted Jordan to reactivate mandatory military service for its citizens, a move seen as a response to rising regional tensions.
