No ‘neutral arbiter’ – Israel decries ‘antisemitic blood libels‘ by Pakistani DM ahead of Iran ceasefire talks

Israeli leaders slammed an antisemitic post on 𝕏 by Pakistan's defense minister on Thursday, just hours before his government was due to host talks aimed at a permanent ceasefire between Israel, the United States, and the Iranian regime.

In a since-deleted post, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif wrote: “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 people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews [sic] burn in hell,” he added.

The Ayatollahs chanted “Death to Israel” - and now a so-called “mediator” is echoing the same language.

You are not a mediator Mr. Asif, you are the problem.

Even if it is to your dismay, Israel is here to stay. That’s not for negotiation. pic.twitter.com/po7MEBUh4Q

— Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter (@yechielleiter) April 10, 2026

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stressed that Asif’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.”

Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, played a central role in mediating talks between Washington and Tehran that led to a two-week truce, which he announced on 𝕏.

In Sharif’s post, he noted that Lebanon was to be part of the ceasefire, however, Israel and the U.S. have since made clear that Israel’s strikes against Hezbollah, which have intensified over the past few days, were not restricted under the ceasefire agreement.

The Prime Minister's Office:

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.

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 9, 2026

On Friday, U.S. and Iranian delegations were set to meet in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad for talks aimed at finding a permanent settlement to end the war.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also responded, saying, “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 noted.

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S Yechiel Leiter noted, "The Ayatollahs chanted 'Death to Israel' – and now a so-called 'mediator' is echoing the same language."

"You are not a mediator Mr. Asif, you are the problem. Even if it is to your dismay, Israel is here to stay. That’s not for negotiation," Leiter wrote on 𝕏.

Israel’s continuation of strikes against Hezbollah has been sharply criticized by various countries, including the Iranian regime, as well as the United Kingdom, France, the European Council and others.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Sharif’s office said he “strongly” condemned Israel’s “ongoing aggression against Lebanon and offered condolences over the loss of thousands of precious lives” in a phone call with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Asif has previously drawn attention for anti-Israel and antisemitic comments and his feed on 𝕏 is filled with reposts of anti-Israel activists accusing Israel of “genocide” in both Gaza and Lebanon.

During Pakistan’s National Assembly earlier this week, Asif characterized the ceasefire as “a significant opportunity to take on a leadership role in opposing” Israel’s influence, which he claimed “has spread across Europe, the United States, and the Arab world.”

He further called on the Muslim world to recognize that its “true and eternal” enemies were India and Israel.