The Pakistani-Israeli Courtship

Abstract

The absence of official relations between Pakistan and Israel underscores the difficulties facing Pakistani leaders to modify their long-held position towards Israel. The ongoing public debate in the country over the issue of normalisation is part of an exercise to prepare the sceptic and conservative public. Over the years, political pragmatism had compelled Pakistan to deal with Israel, albeit clandestinely. While the need for such a posture is understandable within the narrow domestic context, the historical similarities between Pakistan and Israel and the changing Middle East dynamics cannot be ignored. While a meaningful resolution of Israel's conflict with the Palestinians might be an appropriate moment for Pakistani-Israeli normalisation, at least in the short run, Islamabad's moves towards Israel would be guided by the attitude and reactions of its powerful friends and allies in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, the absence of relations has been primarily a Pakistani decision. Hence any modification of this situation would have to come from Islamabad.