PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN’S VIEW ON ISRAEL
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a South Asian country. It has a population of 212.2 million. It has the 2nd largest Muslim population. Almost 97% of Pakistanis are Muslims. 90% are Sunnis and Shias makeup 7% of the population. The Minority ratio is just 3%. On the other hand, Israel is a Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea. It is regarded by Christians, Jews, and Muslims as being the Biblical Holy Land. Israel’s population is 8.8 million. More than 74.2% of the Israeli population is Jewish, 17.8% is Muslims and 2% is Christians. General Zai-ul-Haq, a Pakistani dictator said in December 1981:
“Pakistan is like Israel, an ideological state. Take out Judaism from Israel and it will fall like a house of cards. Take Islam out of Pakistan and make it a secular state; it would collapse.”
Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947 and Israel was established on May 14, 1948.
Israel has great significance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims as well. Both countries have deep feelings about their religions. Pakistan and Israel are the only countries in the world that were established on the basis of religion. Pakistan doesn’t accept Israel. Israel and Pakistan do not officially have diplomatic relations with each other. A number of instances of major and close cooperation and contact between the two states have been seen. Pakistan has a staunch stance on the Kashmir issue. The Kashmir dispute started right after the partition of Indo-Pak in 1947. Both states claim the entirety of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan recognizing Chinese sovereignty over the Trans-Karakoram Tract and Aksai Chin since 1963. Indian security forces violate the human rights of Kashmiris. This a form of religious discrimination. Kashmir voices are lowered with power. But, power cannot stop these voices. Kashmiris love Pakistan. We always stand for the rights of Kashmiri’s on every forum. Indian violence is always opposed by Pakistani’s and Kashmiri’s. Pakistani Christians always stand for Kashmiris. Pakistan has this stance internationally.
There is a similar situation in Israel as well. Israel has a military conflict with Palestine. Its origin to the conflict can be monitored back to Jewish immigration and sectarian conflict in Mandatory Palestine between Jews and Arabs. It is known as the ‘World’s most intractable conflict’. It has an Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza strip reaching 53 years. India has also illegally occupied Kashmir since 1947. These conflicts made Pakistan not accept Israel as a state. It is written on the top of the Pakistani passport that this passport is valid for every country except for Israel. Pakistan always speaks for the rights of Kashmiri’s and Palestinians.
Therefore, Mr. Imran Khan PM of Pakistan has clearly said that:
“Our stance is very clear; as Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said, Pakistan will never recognize Israel until Palestinians are given their right of a just settlement.”
He even said: “ If Pakistan accepted Israel and ignored the oppression of the Palestinians, we will have to give up Kashmir as well then. ”
By overviewing the history of Pakistan. We’ll get to know that Christians were always there for the State’s betterment. Pakistani Christians have also been loyal to Pakistan whether it is on any stance. They are now also working well. Pakistani Christians are mostly educationists, doctors, lawyers, and businessmen. When it comes to the defense of Pakistani Christians have always topped the list. Major General and former DG ISPR once said: “ More than 59% of non-Muslims in the Pak army have given their lives for the homeland.”
Famous Christian military officers of Pakistan are:
Air Vice-Marshal Eric Gordon Hall.
Air Vice-Marshal Michael John O’Brian.
Air Commodore Patrick Desmond Callaghan.
Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry.
Air Commodore Nazir Latif.
Wing Commander Mervyn L.
Squadron Leader Peter Christy.
Flight Lieutenant William D…
These officers have not just defended the country. But, they have always supported Pakistan’s opinion on Israel and India. Sir Mervyn Middlecoat participated in the War of Attrition which was between Israel and Egypt. Pakistani Christian officers have supported Palestine in dogfights and conflicts in order to get their rights. Pak troops have always supported their Muslim brother nations against Israel.
There are Pakistani Jews in Israel as immigrants and descendants of Jewish communities who migrated from Karachi to India. Their number is 1000–2000. They were mainly Marathi-speaking Bene Israel.
We the Christians of Pakistan are super patriotic. But, there are some responsibilities of State as well as the father of the nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah said:
“We are starting with the fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one state. No matter what his color, caste, or creed is first, second, and last a citizen of this state with equal rights, privileges, and obligations….
Pakistan will provide its minorities an ample field for the outlet of their genius and they should come forward and play their role as true citizens in making Pakistan one of the greatest nations….”
Quaid also said that: “ Pakistan will never recognize Israel until Palestinians are given their right of a just settlement.”
We support and accept it. But, viewing this on a broad spectrum. Muslims globally can visit their Holy sites in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan inaugurated Kartarpur Corridor on November 9, 2019, to facilitate the 25 million Sikhs globally. But, Pakistani Christians are not able to see their Holy places. These are the Holy Sites of Christians in Israel:
Bethlehem — Baby Jesus
Nazareth — Jesus’ Hometown
Capernaum, Sea of Galilee — Jesus’ ‘Home Away From Home’
Cana — Water to Wine
Mount of Beatitudes — Sea of Galilee — Jesus’ Stage
Tabgha — Sea of Galilee
Mount Tabor — Galilee
Qasr el Yahud — Jesus takes a Dip
Mount Zion
Via Dolorosa — 14 Stations
Church of Holy Sepulchre
Mount of Olives
There is not only Christian Holy Places, there are Jewish and Muslim sacred places as well. There are 3 parts of the city for the Christians, Jews, and Muslims. We as patriot Pakistani Christians demand to have opportunities in the shape of special visas to travel to Israel. There are many Arab countries that haven’t accepted Israel but, they do have peace and visas’ agreements with each other. Then, why not Pakistan?
We love Pakistan but, we have a religion to follow as well. We read the Holy Bible daily. We always dream and desire to see these Holy Sites. This step can also make Pakistan and Israel have a talk on the peace issue with Palestine. Both countries are nuclear powers with powerful militaries. I as a writer have seen many Pakistani dual citizens often visiting Israel. The government should take measures to facilitate the States’ Christians. We support and love our homeland. But, now it’s our turn to fulfill our desires. As Pakistan fulfilled the desires of our Sikh brothers. Pakistan Zindabad!
Thanks for reading!