Pakistan's Defence Minister Rejects Joining Abraham Accords with Israel

Pakistan's Stance on Abraham Accords

Khawaja Asif, the Defence Minister of Pakistan, has expressed his opposition to the idea of Pakistan participating in the Abraham Accords aimed at normalizing relations with Israel. His remarks followed a statement from former US President Donald Trump, who urged nations involved in peace negotiations with Iran to endorse the Accords, which focus on establishing diplomatic, economic, and security relations between Israel and Arab countries.

During an interview on Samaa TV, Asif stated, “Personally, I don’t think we should join any such accord which clashes with our fundamental ideologies.” He reiterated Pakistan's long-standing position of not recognizing Israel until a Palestinian state is established based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. “We have a very clear stance that it is not acceptable to us,” he emphasized.

Asif raised concerns about the credibility of those involved in the Accords, questioning how one could engage with parties whose trustworthiness is in doubt. He also pointed out that Pakistan's passport explicitly states it is not valid for travel to Israel. Last month, he referred to Israel as a “curse for humanity,” accusing it of committing genocide in the region.

In a detailed post on Truth Social, Trump suggested that any agreement to conclude the Iran conflict should require several nations, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords. He anticipates that countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, and Jordan would eventually sign on. The Abraham Accords, brokered during Trump's first term, were designed to normalize relations with Israel and promote cooperation among Middle Eastern and North African nations, paving the way for full diplomatic ties with Israel.