Pakistan Defense Minister Calls Israel ‘Illegitimate,’ Urges United Muslim Military Front

Pakistan’s defense minister has called for Muslim nations to unite militarily against Israel, describing the Jewish state as “illegitimate” and a threat to the Muslim world following a defense agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has escalated his rhetoric against Israel, calling for Muslim countries to form a united military front against the Jewish state.

His comments came one day after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey signed a joint defense agreement, adding significance to his call for greater military coordination among Muslim nations.

“In the context of Israel, all Muslim countries must unite. I have no doubt about this,” Asif said.

Asif Calls Israel ‘Illegitimate’

During the interview, Asif described Israel as “a threat to the entire Muslim world” and attacked the legitimacy of the Jewish state by invoking the 1917 Balfour Declaration.

“Israel is a product of the Balfour Declaration, which was established in the 1940s as an illegitimate state, and it could pose a direct threat to any of the countries in the region,” he said.

The Balfour Declaration expressed British support for establishing a national home for the Jewish people in their historic homeland. Israel declared independence in 1948.

Pakistan itself emerged from British India in 1947, one year before Israel’s establishment.

Hostility Goes Beyond Netanyahu

Asif made clear that his hostility toward Israel is not limited to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or the current Israeli government.

He said his position would remain unchanged regardless of who leads Israel, arguing that differences between Israeli political leaders are only “marginal.”

“No matter who comes to power in Jerusalem – whether it’s Bennett or any other leader – the differences are only marginal,” Asif said.

He further accused Israel of maintaining an “anti-Islamic mindset” and of inciting divisions among Muslim countries, while insisting that the Islamic world should remain united against Israel until the Palestinian issue is resolved.

History of Anti-Israel Rhetoric

Asif has repeatedly used inflammatory language against Israel. He has previously described the Jewish state as “evil and a curse for humanity” and a “cancerous state.”

His latest remarks go beyond criticism of Israeli policy by openly challenging Israel’s legitimacy and calling for a coordinated military front among Muslim nations.

The timing is particularly notable following the defense agreement involving nuclear-armed Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, three major Muslim powers. Asif’s rhetoric will raise questions over how Pakistan views future regional military cooperation and whether hostility toward Israel could become part of that broader security agenda.