Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has triggered a diplomatic standoff after posting a critique of Israel on X (formerly Twitter), leading to a direct confrontation with the Israeli government. The statement arrives as Islamabad hosts high-level peace negotiations, sparking a divide between those who view the remarks as a bold stance and those who fear it sabotages Pakistan’s role as a mediator.

Asif described Israel as “evil” and a “curse for humanity”. He highlighted that 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,” Asif stated. He concluded his post by wishing for those who “created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European Jews” to “burn in hell”.


While reports circulated that the post was deleted, observers noted that the post had been shadow-banned by X.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a formal response, calling the remarks “outrageous”. The statement argued that such rhetoric cannot be tolerated from a government claiming to be a “neutral arbiter for peace”. Israel’s Foreign Ministry further characterized the post as “antisemitic blood libels” and vowed to defend itself against those who call for its destruction.

The digital space in Pakistan erupted with polarized reactions. Many defended the Defence Minister, with one user stating, “Khawaja Asif is his name. He turns his haters into lovers. The whole world is loving him right now”. Another supporter remarked, “I have never been a PML-N supporter… but I do respect him for saying the quiet part out loud. Pakistan doesn’t recognise Israel as a state and we don’t negotiate with murderers”.

Public sentiment also touched on the perceived hypocrisy of the international community. One reaction noted, “Hypocrisy in plain sight: More outrage over Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s strong words on Israel than over Israel’s deadly strikes in Lebanon”.

Others dismissed the idea that the post would derail negotiations, arguing that Pakistan has never been neutral and has always viewed Israel as an illegal state. “Israel’s actual annihilation of Gaza is tolerable but Pakistan’s Defence Minister’s words cannot be tolerated?” read one blunt response.

Some viewed the move as a deliberate “good-cop, bad-cop” strategy by the state. A commentator suggested that the post was “payback to Israel for sabotaging the Pakistan-brokered Lebanon ceasefire,” allowing a political figure to express public rage while the state continues “serious ceasefire business” behind the scenes.

Conversely, some critics questioned the timing and specific phrasing of the post. One user argued, “Khawaja Asif provided a great opportunity for Israel to discredit the mediator, Pakistan, and Israel immediately took it”. Another critic labeled the final line regarding European Jews as “immature and idiotic,” suggesting it weakened Pakistan’s position.

Responding to the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s accusations, American commentator Ana Kasparian wrote, “I guess the truth = blood libel”. Despite the internal debate over timing, the prevailing sentiment among supporters remains focused on the human cost of the conflict, with one user noting, “Zaalim deserve every bit of hate”.