Pakistan’s Prudent Diplomacy Regarding Israel’s Role in the Middle East
It is tempting to follow the populist narrative surrounding the Muslim Ummah and emphasize the plight of the Palestinians, who undoubtedly face severe challenges. However, amid the complex landscape of international politics, Pakistan must exercise extreme caution, recognizing that Pakistan needs to put her own national interests first, above everything else.
To gain a comprehensive perspective, let’s step back and consider the broader context. In 2016-17, Egypt recognized the need to collaborate with Hamas to counter the Islamic State in the Sinai, a significant shift from its earlier stance of demonizing the organization. This approach led Egypt, starting 2018, to allow select commercial goods into Gaza through the Salah al-Din border crossing. Since 2021, reports indicate that Hamas has been collecting an estimated $12 million per month in taxes on Egyptian imports into Gaza.
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Iran has also emerged as a substantial financier of Hamas, contributing up to $100 million annually to various Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas and Palestine Islamic Jihad, according to a 2021 report by the US State Department. In contrast, The Times Magazine suggests that the US Congress has proposed an aid package of around $2 billion to bolster the nation’s efforts against Hamas.
Furthermore, Hamas has gained significant funding through cryptocurrency, with Israeli authorities seizing nearly $41 million between 2020 and 2023, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Another $94 million is allegedly held by a related entity, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The recent escalation in hostilities has its roots in long-standing tensions that had been mounting over many months, ultimately resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives. The heartbreaking images and stories from this conflict continue to shock the world.
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It is essential to view these developments in the context of ongoing diplomatic negotiations. Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Israel are engaged in a three-way dialogue, with Washington offering assurances to Riyadh for normalizing relations with Jerusalem. Simultaneously, Israel is exploring trade agreements, including potential gas exports to Europe and trade corridors with various states, such as Turkey. The discussions with Israel and Saudi Arabia also involve measures to strengthen the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. However, if Israel’s military operations in the West Bank persist for an extended period, this agreement could falter. Moreover, allegations that Iran played a central role in the recent attack, as emphasized by pro-Israel factions, could undermine the agreement before it takes off. Many analysts say that Hamas is almost a proxy for Iran. The report in Al Jazeera dated 15th October 2023 stating that Iran has warned Israel of regional escalation if the Israeli military enters Gaza for a ground invasion as the war with Hamas enters its second week, lends credence to this view.
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As per latest news, Saudi Arab has put the agreement with Israel on pause as the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took a phone call from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as Riyadh works at stopping the spillover in the region. This is a clear sign how interested U.S is in this deal coming through.
Given this intricate diplomatic scenario, Pakistan must remain neutral and refrain from taking sides. Rather than succumbing to populist narratives, it should prioritize its national interests and carefully navigate this complex international landscape.
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The writer is a lawyer, academic and political analyst. She has authored a book titled ‘A Comparative Analysis of Media & Media Laws in Pakistan.’ She can be contacted at: yasmeenali62@gmail.com and tweets at @yasmeen_9
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