“There is nothing to lose by trying to get on Israel’s good side,” Musharraf told the liberal Israeli newspaper Haaretz in an interview carried on its website.
“Pakistan also needs to keep readjusting its diplomatic stand toward Israel based on the mere fact that it exists and is not going away.”
That kind of talk could comfort Israel, which is increasingly nervous because conservative groups opposed to the Jewish state have been making political gains in surrounding Arab states following revolts that brought down autocrats in the region.
Speaking in favour of relations with Israel could also make Musharraf more unpopular among militants who made several attempts on his life with bombings because of his support for the US “war on terror” following the 9/11 attacks.
Pakistan has been a staunch supporter of demands for a Palestinian state. Pakistan and Israel, however, have maintained covert contacts for decades, officials have said.
According to an October 2009 US diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks, the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) said he had contacted Israel officials to head off potential attacks on Israeli targets in India. A senior ISI official said the agency has never established any contacts not authorised by the government and which were not in the interests of Pakistan.
Musharraf said Israel’s influence in the United States and its relations with India can help Pakistan gain influence abroad. The first public talks between Israel and Pakistan were held in 2005. They were described as a “huge breakthrough” by then Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, but sparked fury among conservatives in Pakistan.
“I felt I needed to test the waters when it comes to Israel,” Musharraf said. “We have been anti-Israel in Pakistan because of Palestine ... But I believe in realism and in assessing ground realities.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2012.
__________________________________________
[poll id="618"]
COMMENTS (109)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1731735822-0/Copy-of-Untitled-(1)1731735822-0-165x106.webp "article")
1731740253-0/BeFunk_§_]_-(21)1731740253-0.jpg "ghq attack case indictment of imran khan 124 others postponed for third time")
Too bad the Arab world is using the Palestinians as political pawns. They are denied citizenship in many Arab countries and suffer greatly just because these Arab regimes are using them as a tool against Israel. Too bad.
@Rehan: exactly but we need to propagate for it and not just write reviews sitting in our sitting rooms.
watch your language. @Rehan:
Israel has done nothing bad to us, let the arabs solve their problems themselves as they only know how create new ones for us, Israel isn't.
Mush is not saying something new. While Pakistani masses have been fed the "muslim brotherhood" and "support for Palestinians" slogans, the establishment had been doing exactly the opposite.
In 1970 Zia himself led an army group, in support of Jordan, to kill hundreds of Palestinians. Here is the excerpt from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackSeptemberinJordan#citenote-14 "Then the head of Pakistani training mission to Jordan, Brigadier Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (later Chief of Army Staff and President of Pakistan), took command of the 2nd division"
Ever since that time, Yasser Arafat had very negative views about Pakistan. While he visited India often, he refused to visit Pakistan.
These are facts and can be checked.
After Obama, Musharraf needs to brown nose Israelis to get into power.
@saad:Israil is a fact in this society, dont think for help from them but think to help them to solve their problems, it is a solution of problems of middle east for all humans
I've never understood why Pakistanis bow to the Arab Palestinian code. Pakistanis are close to Jews more than you dream. Much of the Pakistani and Afghani tribes have ancient links to the people of Israel that part of them transferred by the Babylonian conquerors in the 6th century BC to the Eastern part of their empire, which is now called Persia (Iran). From that place Jews where spreading eastern as merchants and traders all the way to China and India. Most probably many of the Pakistanis have blood links to those ancient Jews. Let not forget that each day we find new fact on that link, whether it some Hebrew papers in Afghanistan or Chinese that find their Jewish roots that have been kept in their families for centuries.
Musharraf is no-doubt absolutely and precisely wrongful on his this stance.
@LOK - Pakistan should normalise ties with Israel as that is in the best interest of both the countries and they have more in common and have never harmed each other. But India has harmed and continues to harm Pakistan. India has to come out clean, resolve Kashmir and water issues and stop terrorist activities in Balochistan and then only ties with India can be normalised.
Absolutely, Pakistan should have good relations with Israel. The Arab countries do not care about Pakistan's Kashmir problem and many other issues it faces with India. . . ..infact they are good friends of Pakistan's enemy India that has inflicted genocide in Kashmir.
Whatever other reasons there are for improving relations between Israel and Pakistan imo the best one is the chance it offers to improve Pakistanis' sanity. There has been so much distortion of the truth and that mis-education has distorted Pakistanis' reason and human values dearly. With improved relations that has a chance to be mended.
@Atta: other person will understand you more if you accept his opinion. accepting isreal will have better impact on isreal-palestine issue. by your standard of rejecting of isreal, why don't you reject existence of US and india? we never think without discrimination, this is our problem
The reason why pakistan is not accepting isreal is extreme anti-semitism and hatred of state of isreal. In fact if isreal is a illegitimate state on arab land, pakistan is also illegitimate state on hindu land, which we will never accept.
If the MAIN EFFECTED PARTY Palestine is talking to Israel...What is our problem,,and why is this all hue & cry....... WE ARE NOT THE THEIKEDAR OF ISLAM in the world !!!!!!!!!
@Farz: Our founding fathers rejected Israel, our Quaid rejected Israel and supported Palestine, there is no way in the world that we are going to accept them now and this jewish baby wants to gather support from America but if he comes back this time, he should be hanged by court for his crime against Pakistani nation...
yea why not if they accept Palestinian right and many Islamic country have good relation with them then why not pakistan
Musharraf's next suggestion: legalize murder and rape!
Normalize ties with Israel as well as with India...
Here is a fact: If we dont talk to Americans or Israelis or Indians about various issues, we are hurting our own international standing. Why? Because if we dont talk to them we are not part of the debate of whatever goes on. By talking to each other, we become part of the debate.
I have never understood our policy towards Israel. If Turkey and Egypt have diplomatic ties, why dont Pakistan?? We must broaden our horizon and foreign policy.
Mushareff is a has been. He wants to support Zionism, NOT Judaism. The Zionist movement that controls Israel should NEVER be recognised. I think he wants to support Israel so that if something happens to him he will pay Mossad agents to save him. He should just keep his millions and retire in London. I know he must be bored in UK but there are CONSEQUENCES FOR ALL ACTIONS. Mushe is not wanted anymore. I think he is just saying this to get media attention as he feels threatened by PTI and Imran Khan.
HizboAllah Lebnan crushed this so called super power in 33 days....
We should create relations with Israel. If Arabs can have relations with our enemy India, and if many of them have relations with Israel themselves, why can't we?
When the time come, God will settle all things. We have to realize that Israel is there, and it exists. Same thing with Armenia, only reason we don't recognize them is because of Azerbaijan and Turkey, are we stupid? Same goes with Kosovo.
@bravo:
if you knew how to read more than a few lines at a time, you would have read the whole article and see he has spoken out against israeli aggression. seemingly you and rational thought do not go hand in hand.
Yes, Israel is a reality just like Pakistan and Jews have common roots with Muslims and not Hindus. So, with better relations Pakistan and Israel can benefit with open discussion and better business. It will be good for the future of both countries and their influence on other countries.
Why not?! Pakistan should keep good relations with israel and that makes all the sense for Pakistan! Ofcourse this will make India mad because it does not not want this and wants to use this against Pakistan for its own purpose. Let Saudi Arabia deal with Arab problems.
Yes, Musharraf is right. We must be realistic.
Looking from Pakistani perspective Mush is right we should as Pak and Israel are the only two nations who came into existence because of religion .. it will benefit Pakistan immensely .. May be than we will be better off telling Israel on their face to stop their aggression on Palestanians
I have never understood why a country would go out of it's way to create an enemy of a State which has never done anything to harm you --- seems like you have enough on your plate as is. I you want to fight the good fight for ideological reasons - fine - start with fixing Pakistan.
I would like to know IMRAN KHAN's view on this !!!
A leader suppose to lead not follow the public. He is suppose to give solutions, maybe out of box, if needed. In Pakistan its easy for leaders to use public emotion by bad mouthing usa, israel, india and become popular. A leader who can take risk and give a different solution, which one may or may not agree, is at least a person who has something to offer.
@Farz: Egypt, turkey and Jordan have been paying a price. Please don't open up your mouth like mush without knowing the facts
What an idiot. He had 9 years in power to do something and he didn't. Yes, Pakistan should have better relations with Israel. Why does Pak try to be more Arab than Arabs? No Arab gives a damn about Pakistan - they treat us like crap, never support our international positions.
But if Mush really believes this then he should have done something when he was in power. He was only interested in selling Pakistan as long as the Army got billions of dollars. The country went to shambles and Pakistan suffered geopolitically.
Musharraf is 100% correct. He is not hypocrite, rather he is realistic.
@RajX: Don't you know it's one big CIA/Zionist/RAW family? Lol. As for relations with Israel, the rabid, fanatical segment of the pakistani population wants to put all the blasphemers to death. How do you think they feel about Jews? Too funny!
The interview is given to create media hype and publicity and nothing else.
Mr. Musharraf is going to announce tomorrow in rally as when he is going to come back.
Lot of supporters will just remain at home duro to Mr.; Musharraf's stance about Israel.
Every ones know what Pakistani generally think about Israel. This interview is counter-productive to political activities of All Pakistan Musharraf League (APML).
Very good, first ever act of confrontation between israel and pakistan came when pakistanis sent their pilots to fight alongside Arabs allies in 67 war. Before that there was no discomfort between the two states whatsoever. Its a great country, great people and if they have problem with palestinians let them deal it among themselves. Bravo Mush for speaking reality
Showing his true colors. When we used to say he has banking lobby behind him everyone labelled us as conspiracy theorist. Well the theory is proving itself again.
Let's be realistic. Also many Arab countries acknowledge Israel and carry business. PK should too.
patil Israel and India are two different countries so implication are different too. we don't have any border dispute with Israel but with India we do have. With Israel we have not Fought any war but with India, we are in continuous war in Siachen, which Indians started without provocation. So settle the issues and we shall have brotherly relations with India. if Indians think that they can do away with these problems and can have clean chit...They DEFINITELY WON'T
I am not Musharraf's fan,but it is very important for Pakistan to have diplomatic relations with Israel. Israel never did anything wrong to Pakistan so I dont see any reason for not having relations with Israel,most of the ARAB world including Saudi Arabia have direct or indirect relations with Israel so why not Pakistan? There are two very special countries in world Pakistan and Israel they can resolve almost all disputes in world right now.While both countries have different religions, they both have a lot of similarities in their founding and existential threat to them. The Arabs (especially the Saudi's) all have secret relations with Israel but they tell their own people that they are the enemy. we all have our sympathies for the Palestinian cause, but we shouldn't sacrifice our own national interests because of it. let the Arabs solve their territorial disputes, but Turks, Pakistanis, Iranians have no logical reason to have no relations with Israel. So its better to have normal relations with Israel.
People can be very childish rushing off to make stupid comments. This afternoon he came on ARY news and was extensively interviewed on this report. Please take the trouble to see it.
@Pakistani: "Those who are peace makers believe in co-existence while the counter parts are not ready to give Palestine a status of free state " Pakistanis have this gift of standing the truth on its head. Be informed that Israel believes in coexistence, has always been for peace with its neighours (witness its relations with Egypt and Jordan), is for a two-state solution but for that to happen Palestinians will naturally have to recognize Israel as one of those two states. Instead, Palestinians are sworn to destroy Israel. Do you still wonder why Israel will not cooperate with those who are intent upon its destruction? As far as Musharraf's reason for Pakistan-Israel relations goes, India quite correctly evaluated his shallowness and wrote him off in Agra. He should remind himself that relations between India and Israel are civilizational in nature. I am not sure he has the intelligence to understand fully the import of that statement.
@Akhtar:
Well everyone would be wrong. We are a separate race from the Arabs and in fact our largest province by population has more in common (racially) with the Indians across the border. Having said that, the Arabs indeed are our brothers. We share the same religion, same book and same God and are more closer to us in our hearts than the Indians who share nothing with us except skin color. :)
@Pakistani: Correction - It might be a nonsense for a Pakistani. For an Indian Muslim it is a nonsense, because they have sense and that is why you find very few of them involved in any extremist activity else where with a tag 'Islamic'. But do you ever wonder which is the one country (and i am not talking about a religion/faith) involved in most of these activities around the world? Yeah, i know you are already thinking about the RAW, CIA and Mossad!
Another statement from Mush that makes most of us dislike him even more. I really hope PTI and its supporters are taking note of the majority comments, and refrain from ANY alliance with Musharraf if they want to continue to receive public support.
No civilized and sane country on earth makes policy on rhetoric and emotional outburst. Pakistan should also come out of this old dogma of Pan Islamic countries, and she should also focus on developing amicable relationships with other countries. When Turkey and Egypt can accept Israel and then why it is to hard for Pakistan. This emotional Arab attachment is not sane.
ISRAEL IS REAL.. we should accept the truth and Pak should have normal ties with Israel we cant afford to have unlimited enemies all the time..
Musharraf has become a lobbyist for Israel, finally he has got a job.
Lolz Israel will always be our enemy shake hand or not, I am Pro-Palestine, Doesnt matter if few Internet fools like Musharraf's policy. This will not gonna happen in near future. Musharaf is the only person responsible for what is happening in Pakistan now, specially he is responsible for creating secularism and extremists he divided us. He should be trialed. gshhhhhhhh so much hate for him in my heart.
It's a miracle from Musarraf . The statement makes him a distinct leader in Pakistan . His association with PTI and MQM will bring him in power once again after the election .
@Indian: Off course it make sense for you. But it is big non- sense for us as Muslim
Was all this memogate and military coup drama played for to pave a way for come back of Mushraff ? We do whatever you want to do but we want our land Balochistan free from Pakistan.
As a Muslim, I feel close to Jewish people than any other religion in the world since our two religion share a very strong bond of faith-monitheism. It is very unfortunate that Pakistan and Israel got off the wrong foot. Israeli governments didnt help either by wading into our conflict with India even though our support to Palestinians was verbal and Pakistan didnt figure into any scheme of things in mid east. Hopefully, this negative dynamics would change and media can play very constructive role by helping dispel the stereotypes that we have for each other.
Ask any Paki on the streets from KP to Pindi what his origins are. Every one will say they have Arab blood in them. Palestinian's are our Arabs brothers & all paki's Are ready to fight till the end!
Whatever anyone says HE IS REALISTIC Better late than neverAt this time,when news is ripe that Israel and USA are planning to strike Iran.This Mushraf's interview seem a positive signal to US and Israel, that He favors Israel and if he will be supported in Pakistan, as he worked for US during his tenure, he will again work to safe guard US mission again.
Coexistance is the key word. In this
glogal villageand in this day and age, we have to accept each other and respect each others boundaries. Islam gives the message of peace and brotherhood. Our animy is within-- in the form of lawlessness and terrorism, which shoutd be adressed.In such period of elections I am surprised with the comment of Mr Musharraf but this is what enlightened moderation ...
please dont waste our time, go n get israeli nationality.
Two state, one state, no state solution...whatever...it's got nothing to do with us. Musharaf is right we have made an enemy out of Israel for no good reason whatsoever. Foriegn policy formulated by teenagers. We need to establish relations with Israel ASAP,
Hmmm...never knew that musharaff was a Zionist agent. I thought he was RAW. Haha.
@Farz: And your own military had no hand in the creation of Bangladesh? Read up on the truth and maybe you will be better able to argue the point.
and I do too.. there is no issue supporting and having ties with Israel... what benefits we are getting by doing so, instead having relations with Israel can enable us to solve many problems, we can be mediate with many Muslim nations as well as can divert the conflict of Iran-israel war. On the other hand we can put pressure on India and can get benefits of strong Jewish lobby in Washington.
We have to think out interest first and than go for anything else.
Israel's founder Ben Guiron personally called Jinnah to initiate relations in the late 40's.
Jinnah send Sir Zafarullah to meet the Israeli's in New York who told them that he will have to side with the Arabs and work for Palestine.
Sir Zafarullah was the first person to bring the Palestinian case at the UN.
In my opinion, we should have relations wit Israel.
musharraf have lost his mind>..!!!!!
More than 40 years ago, General Zia ul Huq (he was a Brigadier then) had served to oppress/suppress the Palestinians in Jordan. Today, General Pervez Musharraf wants to be even more direct in serving Israel.
Pakistan has never been well-served by its Generals. "Field Marshal" Ayub Khan lost the trust of East Pakistanis in 1965 by his risky adventurism in Kashmir. And General Yahya Khan managed to alienate half the population and lose the east wing by his brazen attempt to perpetuate military's control over the country.
Saying stuff like this in front of the appropriate audiance never hurts.
Is it his way of getting head lines or is he trying to punish Kasuri for his PTI move?
We should have diplomatic ties with Israel. When Arabs have it why can't we. Shun the mullah rhetoric and let sanity prevail
Why not have better relation with your immediate neighbour? I am not against Pakistan having the best relationship with Israel but why at the cost of India? To tell you the truth if we have better trade relationship keeping religion in cold storage every country will envy us.On second thought is Musharraf is trying to make his entry in Pakistan easy by bashing India?
When in power generals suddenly talk of good relations with neighbors & Isreal. While during political regime they themselves do not support this. I wonder why?
Let him stand on that principle in election and win the votes in Pakistan. It will be a miracle. He has not understood how antagonistic PAK public perception of Israel is fully. It has nothing to do with Palestine. I'll leave it there.
Musharraf needs all possible support of all Jewish lobbies within US/Europe which in return will mean support for his return to Pakistan, in this context I understand his comments. I always thought military men stand for few principles in life but this man is beyond all principles.
As far as friendly attitude towards Israel is considered, if you are by any chance Muslim and claim to be one, you will know that they are your enemies. Israeli generals in 1967 war said we do not have fear of any Arab country but we fear about capabilities of Pakistan and consider them real threat.
Undoubtedly Israel is a reality. Pakistan must have better relations with Israel and influence Israel for the settlement of Palestine issue.
Recognizing the existance of Israel will not make israel your friend. It will be the formal acceptance of the fact that you have hereby acknowledged your slavery
until nd unless we dont hv some sort of talks & or relationship with israel we won't be able to play our part in Palestine issue.... nd hey if we can recognize a Taliban Afghanistan then why not Decmocratic Civilized country like Israel..
What else did you expect from a person like him. When he was in power he tried his best to get Israel recognized . He sold the country to Israelis and Americans. Mr Musharaf is one of the biggest traitor Pakistan has ever had . Nothing less than Mujeeb ur Rahman and Mukti Bahni.
Mr. Musharaf!...you better stay where you are....Pakistan doesnt need you and your Pro-Israel idealogy....
why not if they accept palestine a indpendent state and give them their right as many muslim country have good relation with them
... And the interview ended with, 'LOL JK'
If you are accepting the existence of Israel means you are denying the Palestine cause.
I appreciate your vision but you and i are not on the same page about this issue. Israel is overpowering the poor Palestinian nation and you want to make truce??
Believe me the whole Pakistani nation will only agree with you on one condition that is,stop the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian land! and let them leave in peace!!!
Israel is reality we admit , but it must give Palestine their land and submit Palestine as a free state . Those who are peace makers believe in co-existence while the counter parts are not ready to give Palestine a status of free state.......................
Israel is reality we admit , but it must give Palestine their land and submit Palestine as a free state . Those who are peace makers believe in co-existence while the counter parts are not ready to give Palestine a status of free state .Its a very fair demand
Israel is reality we admit , but it must give Palestine their land and submit Palestine as a free state . Those who are peace makers believe in co-existence while the counter parts are not ready to give Palestine a status of free state
Even if for a moment we put aside all crimes Musharaf commited against Pakistan, only the injustice and crimes he made against our balouchi brothers makes him unforgivable..
If that is true, for the first time a Pakistani leader would be talking sense..
It's about time. Pakistanis have no connection to the people of Gaza (especially when our own in Balochistan are dying everyday, why should we care about unrelated people half way across the world, who are by all accounts, criminals anyway?). We are better off being friends with Israel, a democratic and secular nation, which has an economy that would help Pakistan's growth. Regrads, Rehan
we in general may not like the presence of israel/jews but the fact remains that the state does exist and is going nowhere in the near future. Therefore, we should have some sort of relations with them. Writing "this passport is valid for all coutries except Israel' isnt the right way to deal with this issue
It is shameful act from Musharaf to support his come back in Pakistani politics by seeking help from Americans and Jews by giving such funny statements. But what can we expect from someone who yelled "Pakistan First" and served always western interests.
Umm...there is a greater possibility of discovering unicorns then Pakistani diplomatic relations with Israel in the near future. Yes everyone knows that Israel is a reality, but so is Palestine a reality, and Israel has withheld that right of recognition from Palestine, so for now diplomatically Israel should not be realised. Any Pakistani leader attempting to do so is only asking for trouble from the public.
Revealing your ambitions are not something new for Pakistanis. You are responsible for religious extremism in Pakistan and polarizing the Pakistani society. You better off stay away and let us make a new and balance Pakistan.
Mr. Musharraf; this will fall on deaf ears; we are not pragmatic race but an emotional herd. I am not (and was never) your supporter and believes that despite God-given opportunity, you were more interested in prolonging your stay through shady deals with devious characters. But you with this statement, you have put the last nail in our own political coffin.
Trying to please Israelis so they give positive nod to their puppet state USA which in turn place Musharraf on the throne in Pakistan?
i agree...Israel is a rising power and we can't afford to be stuck in our misplaced sense of "Muslim brotherhood" etc, when hardly any other Muslim countries give a damn about it. In fact we can learn a lot from Israel. They came from behind, defeated a whole bunch of Arab countries' military powers combined, made nukes, started producing technological products, and now play a major role in American politics. We can't afford to be on this bad terms with them, since their influence is visible in a lot of decisions of the White House, and since we are supposedly "allies" with the US, it's better to improve relations with Israel. Don't accept them as a country right now, but at-least maintain some sorts of democratic relations. People would probably start trolling here that we can defeat Israel and start posting such ridiculous comments, but the fact is that we can't control our domestic terrorism let alone start messing with current and future superpowers. War is not the way forward. We have to curb our military spending and focus on improving our economy, health care, IT and literacy rate etc. Improving relations with every single country sounds like a good step, including Israel!
I agree with Mr. Musharraf. Without doubt, Pakistan should establish diplomatic ties Israel. This country is a reality and it's not going any where.
If Arabs or Pakistan can have diplomatic and trade relations with India, which is responsible for creating Bangladesh and having disputed territory of Kashmir. Why not Israel?
Egypt, Turkey, Jordan and others already have diplomatic ties with Israel.
Mother of all recent ills of Pakistan speaking his heart out. He should have spoken as a matter of principle about Israeli agression. But principle and Mushrraf do not go hand in hand.
Mother of all recent ills of Pakistan speaking his heart out. He should have as a matter of principle, speak about Israeli agression as well. But principle and Musharraf do not go hand in hand.