Why Pakistan Doesn't Officially Recognize Israel

The two-nation theory, which led to the creation of Pakistan as an independent Muslim nation, was founded on the belief that Muslims and Hindus couldn’t live together in peace because of their differences in religion and culture. Pakistan gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947 after almost 10 years of independence movement against the British government, beginning with the Khilafat Movement and then the Civil Disobedience Movement led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. However, despite its foundation on religious beliefs, Pakistan didn’t officially recognize Israel until 1992. Why is that?

Partition of India and creation of Pakistan

The partition of India in 1947 led to the creation of the Muslim-majority state of Pakistan. Since then, Pakistan has not officially recognized the state of Israel, which was created in 1948. This is despite the fact that both states were created on the basis of the two-nation theory. Pakistan has consistently protested against Israel's policies towards Palestine and its attack on Iran. Recently, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan will not recognize Israel until a Palestinian state is established.

Muslim nationalism and Muslim homeland

Pakistan's official position is that it does not recognize the state of Israel until a just and lasting solution is found for the Palestinian issue in accordance with international law. This position is based on the two-nation theory which states that there should be two independent states for the Muslim and Hindu peoples of British India. Pakistan also supports the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and their right to an independent state. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is a long-running one, with no end in sight.

United Nations resolution 181

On November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 181, which called for the partition of British Mandate Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Pakistan was not a member of the UN at the time, but it supported the resolution. However, when Israel declared independence in 1948, Pakistan did not recognize the state. The reason for this is that Pakistan was created on the basis of the two-nation theory, which holds that there should be two independent states for Hindus and Muslims.

UNSCOP partition plan 1947

The UNSCOP partition plan of 1947 was created in an effort to end the British Mandate for Palestine and create two independent states, one Jewish and one Arab. The plan was rejected by the Arabs and led to the first Arab-Israeli War. Pakistan supported the Arab position and has never officially recognized Israel. Pakistan protested against Israel's unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem in 1980, its use of force against Palestinian demonstrators in 1982, its invasion of Lebanon in 1982-83, and it has opposed Israeli treatment of Palestinians during the 1987 intifada. Pakistan issued a statement on July 18th that condemned Israeli aggression on Iranian targets which were evacuated weeks ago. Pakistan also expressed concern over the conflict between Palestine and Israel as well as their displacement from their land.

The first Arab–Israeli war

During the war, Arab and Jewish communities in Mandatory Palestine came into conflict, which culminated in violence and mass displacement. The 1947 UN Partition Plan sought to address this by splitting the territory of British Mandate Palestine between a Jewish state and an Arab state, with Jerusalem as an international zone. The partition was opposed by the Arabs but accepted by both Jews and Palestinians because it gave them a part of their own independent states to call their own. Pakistan was created on these two-nation theory lines because of this argument: Muslims should have their own homeland as well as people who want to be governed under secular democracy.

United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine resolution 181 (II)

On 29 November 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution recommending the adoption and implementation of the Partition Plan for Palestine. The plan proposed the creation of independent Arab and Jewish States and a Special International Regime for the city of Jerusalem. However, the resolution was not accepted by all parties involved in the conflict, and on 14 May 1948, fighting broke out between Palestinian Arabs and Jews in Mandatory Palestine.

Historic trip to Jerusalem by Pakistani President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in 1987

In 1987, Pakistani President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq made a historic trip to Jerusalem, becoming the first Muslim head of state to visit the city. While there, he met with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and pledged Pakistan's support for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, Pakistan has never officially recognized the state of Israel, and relations between the two countries remain tense.

Roadmap for peace between Israel and the Palestinians

1. Establish a two-state solution with an independent, sovereign Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel.

2. end the occupation that began in 1967 and resolve all final status issues, including on the basis of the Arab Peace Initiative;

3. reach a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace settlement that ends the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and resolves all claims;

Nuclear deterrence

Pakistan has always been a strong supporter of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination. Pakistan doesn't officially recognize the state of Israel because it was created on the basis of the two-nation theory, which Pakistan does not support. Pakistan has also consistently condemned Israel's attacks on Iran and its illegal occupation of Palestinian territories. Additionally, Pakistan has said that it will not recognize Israel until a just and lasting solution is found to the Palestinian issue.

Criticism from Pan-Islamists and other Muslim states

Pakistan's official position on Israel is that it does not exist. The country has never recognized the state of Israel, and there are no diplomatic relations between the two countries. This position is in line with the stance of most other Muslim states. However, some critics have accused Pakistan of hypocrisy, pointing out that the country was created on the basis of the two-nation theory which calls for the creation of a separate homeland for Muslims. They point to the fact that Pakistan does not officially recognize Israel as evidence of this inconsistency. For example, when Shah Mehmood Qureshi was Foreign Minister under Nawaz Sharif, he defended Pakistan's decision to vote against an Israeli resolution at the UN General Assembly by saying Pakistan will not recognize Israel.