Israel-Palestine is not just another conflict; it is a struggle between power and justice. It is an issue that has exposed the world’s double standards more than almost any other international crisis. On one side are repeated claims of human rights, democracy, and international law; on the other side are the ruins of Gaza, attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque, and generations of Palestinians living under displacement and conflict. At such a time, Pakistan’s position has remained clear, firm, and unchanged. Since its creation in 1947, Pakistan has refused to recognise Israel, and by 2026, this policy remains intact.
The roots of the conflict go back to 1947, when the United Nations proposed the Partition Plan for Palestine. In 1948, the State of Israel was established, leading to war and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in what Palestinians refer to as the Nakba, meaning “catastrophe.” Pakistan opposed the partition plan and refused to recognise Israel. While many countries later adjusted their positions according to changing political realities, Pakistan kept its original stance.
The world must understand that Palestine is not only a regional issue, but it has also become a test of international credibility.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah strongly supported the Palestinian cause and argued that injustice against Palestinians was injustice against the Muslim world. That position later became part of Pakistan’s foreign policy identity. While several Arab countries, including some in recent years through normalisation agreements, moved toward relations with Israel, Pakistan maintained that a lasting solution requires justice for Palestinians and an independent state.
The 1967 Arab-Israel War, also known as the Six-Day War, changed the map of the Middle East. Israel captured East Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights. Pakistan strongly condemned the occupation and repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations. Pakistan argued that territorial expansion through military force should not become an accepted international practice.
Then came the 1973 Arab-Israel War, when Pakistan moved beyond political statements. Pakistani Air Force pilots reportedly assisted Arab countries during the conflict, demonstrating that Pakistan viewed the Palestinian issue not merely as a political matter but as a question of dignity and solidarity.
The 1993 Oslo Accords created hope across the world. Many believed peace had finally become possible. Yet while negotiations continued, disputes over settlements, security, and sovereignty remained unresolved. Pakistan repeatedly argued that peace without justice would remain fragile. A ceasefire without a political solution, according to this view, simply postpones future conflict.
The cycle of violence continued through 2008, 2014, 2021, and again from 2023 to 2025, as military operations and escalating violence in Gaza caused devastating humanitarian consequences. Images of destroyed hospitals, damaged schools, and civilian suffering spread worldwide.
The global response has often drawn comparisons. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, strong sanctions were introduced rapidly, emergency international meetings were held, and worldwide political attention followed. Supporters of the Palestinian cause have questioned why international reactions to Gaza have often appeared different in intensity and scale. Pakistan has repeatedly highlighted what it considers an inconsistency in the application of international principles.
Another comparison frequently raised concerns international law itself. When territorial sovereignty is challenged elsewhere, many governments strongly defend the importance of borders and national independence. Pakistan has argued that the same standards should apply equally in the Palestinian case.
Pakistan’s government and military leadership have consistently expressed support for Palestine. During the Gaza crisis beginning in 2023, Pakistan called for an immediate ceasefire, sent humanitarian aid, and continued diplomatic engagement. Pakistani leaders stated that Palestinian civilians should not be left without international support.
Today, as tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States continue to shape the Middle East, Pakistan has attempted to maintain a position emphasising dialogue and regional stability rather than wider war. Pakistan has argued that military escalation may deepen instability across the region.
The world must understand that Palestine is not only a regional issue, but it has also become a test of international credibility. If international law matters, then difficult questions remain: Why do some conflicts receive stronger action than others? Why are some occupations discussed differently from others? Pakistan has asked these questions for decades.
Pakistan’s refusal to recognise Israel is not simply a temporary political position; it is presented as a matter of national principle. Pakistan maintains that without an independent Palestinian state and a negotiated political settlement, lasting peace in the Middle East will remain difficult to achieve.
The voices emerging from Gaza continue to demand justice. For many across the Muslim world, Al-Aqsa remains deeply significant. Pakistan continues to argue that peace built on fairness and dignity, not only military power, offers the strongest path toward a stable future.
The writer is a journalist