Pakistan's defense minister calls Israel ‘cancerous' ahead of US-Iran talks in Islamabad
The Times of Israel • • general
Key Points:
- Israeli leaders strongly condemned Pakistan's defense minister Khawaja Asif after he called Israel "cancerous" and made antisemitic remarks amid Pakistan's role mediating US-Iran ceasefire talks.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denounced Asif's statements as calls for Israel’s annihilation and unacceptable from a supposed neutral peace mediator.
- Pakistan brokered a ceasefire between the US and Iran, with negotiations set to begin in Islamabad, involving US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian officials, though Israel is not participating directly.
- Israel supports the truce and paused its military campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s military capabilities but remains prepared to resume operations if necessary, while opposition leaders criticize the government for being sidelined in the ceasefire process.
- Asif deleted his inflammatory post without apology, and Israel’s ambassador to the US called Pakistan’s mediation efforts compromised by such hostile rhetoric.
