Israel Condemns Pakistan Minister's 'Cancerous' Israel Post Amid Rising Tensions

Israeli PM: No Tolerance for Annihilation Calls

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement emphasizing that any calls for Israel’s annihilation will be unacceptable from any government, and none more so from one that is portraying itself as a peace broker.
“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," the office said.
This reaction follows Mr. Asif's controversial social media statements, which included harsh criticisms of Israel and language that many have found inflammatory. 

Sa'ar Slams 'Antisemitic Libels'

Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, also took the opportunity to openly challenge the leadership in Pakistan, marking a rare direct diplomatic confrontation.
"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," Sa'ar said.

Asif Calls Israel 'Evil Curse'

On Thursday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif referred to Israel as “evil” and a “curse for humanity” in light of its military actions in Lebanon during a period of tension between the U.S. and Iran.
Asif claimed in a deleted social media post that, " Israel is evil and a curse for humanity, while peace talks are underway in Islamabad, genocide is being committed in Lebanon. Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated. I hope and pray that the people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European Jews [sic] burn in hell."

Doubts on Pakistan's Peace Mediator Role

This situation has become even more complex as diplomatic efforts have aimed to stabilize the region and uphold a fragile ceasefire, while Pakistan's position on the ceasefire terms has faced criticism.
Adding to the complications, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed that Lebanon was included in the peace agreement—an assertion that was firmly rejected by the U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.