Pakistani Defense Minister Calls Israel an 'Illegitimate State' and Urges United Muslim Military Front

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif declared Israel an illegitimate state and a threat to the Muslim world during a televised interview on August 8, 2026. He called for the formation of a united military front among Muslim countries to confront Israel, emphasizing that the anti-Islamic sentiment and hostility toward Palestinians would persist regardless of changes in Israeli leadership. Asif specifically dismissed the impact of any Israeli government change, stating that whether led by Naftali Bennett or another leader, the core attitudes toward Palestinians and Islam remain unchanged.

Asif spoke in the context of a new trilateral security agreement signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. He urged expanding this pact to include all Muslim nations, comparing it to NATO, to collectively address threats including terrorism, which he claimed is supported by India. He highlighted the need for Muslim countries to set aside bilateral disputes and unite against common geopolitical challenges, particularly Israel, which he described as a product of the 1940s Balfour Declaration and a direct threat to regional states.

The Pakistani defense minister also referenced ongoing tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, stressing the necessity of a unified and uncompromising stance toward Jerusalem. He warned that Israel exploits divisions within the Muslim world and that only a cohesive front can effectively counter these threats. The official details of the security agreement are expected to be released jointly by the three governments in the near future.