The Israeli government has responded with sharp criticism to comments made by Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif. Against the backdrop of talks scheduled for Saturday in Pakistan between representatives of the United States and Iran, Asif publicly described Israel as “evil” and a “cancer,” while leveling severe accusations against the Jewish state.
In a post on X that has since been deleted, Asif wrote that Israel was “evil and a curse for humanity,” while peace talks were taking place in Islamabad and a “genocide” was being carried out in Lebanon. He went on to say: “Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel — first Gaza, then Iran and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated. I hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews [sic] burn in hell.”
A clear response also came from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The call for Israel’s destruction, it said, was “outrageous” and could not be tolerated by any government — especially not from a state that at the same time claims to act as a neutral mediator for peace.
The Prime Minister’s Office:
Pakistan Defence Minister’s call for Israel’s annihilation is outrageous. This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 9, 2026
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the remarks as “antisemitic incitement,” saying they were not only unacceptable but also challenged the very legitimacy of the Jewish state. Israel, he said, would respond decisively to every form of attack — whether military or rhetorical.
Israel views very gravely these blatant antisemitic blood libels from a government claiming to “mediate peace”.
Calling the Jewish state “cancerous” is effectively calling for its annihilation.
Israel will defend itself against terrorists who vow its destruction. https://t.co/CCMveNi9Qu— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) April 9, 2026
Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, was more direct, noting that Pakistan was adopting the hateful rhetoric of Iran’s ayatollahs, and making itself part of the problem, not the solution.
The Ayatollahs chanted “Death to Israel” – and now a so-called “mediator” is echoing the same language.
You are not a mediator Mr. Asif, you are the problem.
Even if it is to your dismay, Israel is here to stay. That’s not for negotiation. pic.twitter.com/po7MEBUh4Q
— Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter (@yechielleiter) April 10, 2026
Questioning Pakistan’s credibility
Talks between representatives from Washington and Tehran are scheduled for Saturday in Islamabad, where negotiators are expected to discuss a broader agreement to end the fighting following the previously announced two-week ceasefire.
But the latest remarks out of Islamabad are now raising serious questions about Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator.
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