Palestine thanks Pakistan for 'strong response’ against Israel

The state of Palestine on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for his "strong response" on Israel and appreciated the premier for speaking out on aggression against the Palestinian people.

"On the behalf of Palestinian people and the Government of the State of Palestine, the Embassy of the State of Palestine conveys sincere thanks for extending all sorts of support to Palestinian cause and especially for condemning, in strong terms, the Israeli aggression towards Palestine, a statement from the Palestinian embassy in Islamabad read.

The statement came a day after PM Imran said that Pakistan will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel till the Palestinians do not get a separate state of their own, which the people of Palestine accept, based on the Two-Nation Theory.

The prime minister, while responding to a question about the recognition of Israel in an interview after UAE-Israel pact, had said that if Pakistan agreed to recognising Israel and gave up its principled stance then it will have to stop raising the issue of Kashmir as the situation in the disputed area was the same.

Hailing the strong support it received from Islamabad, the embassy said, “We Palestinians consider Pakistan as our second homeland, and Pakistanis as our dearest brothers, who always supported Palestine on every forum of the world."

Meanwhile, the statement highlighted that every government of Pakistan has always supported the just cause of Palestine on all the forums of the world.

“This is only because of Pakistanis love towards Palestine that Israeli and Pakistani relations have never been established,” it said.

"The Embassy thanks his Excellency the Prime Minister of Pakistan for such a strong response and also appreciates every individual of Pakistan, including political parties, media, civil society, who is observing solidarity with Palestine in any possible way, and we are hopeful that this support will be with us until we get an Independent State of Palestine with Jerusalem Al-Quds as it's Capital."

‘UAE-Israel deal has far-reaching implications’

Pakistan on Friday said that its approach to the agreement between UAE and Israel will be guided by how Palestinian's rights and aspirations are upheld.

"Pakistan’s approach will be guided by our evaluation of how Palestinians’ rights and aspirations are upheld and how regional peace, security and stability are preserved," said a statement by the Foreign Office.

It noted that the development has "far-reaching implications".

"Pakistan has an abiding commitment to the full realisation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination," the statement highlighted.

It added: "Peace and stability in the Middle East region is also Pakistan’s key priority."

The statement also stressed that Pakistan has "consistently supported a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant UN and OIC resolutions as well as international law" so that a "comprehensive and lasting peace" in the region can be established.