Pak defence minister calls Netanyahu ‘worst criminal of humanity,’ urges US to arrest him

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has sparked controversy by calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the “worst criminal of humanity” and urging the United States to “kidnap” him, drawing parallels with the alleged abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Speaking during a televised interview on Thursday, Asif claimed that no atrocities in history compare to Israel’s actions against Palestinians in Gaza. “No community has done what Israel has done to Palestinians in the last 4,000 to 5,000 years. He is the biggest criminal of humanity,” Asif said.

The minister went on to suggest that Turkey could also arrest Netanyahu and claimed that “Pakistanis are praying for it.” His remarks triggered concern during the broadcast, prompting anchor Hamid Mir to interrupt the discussion and caution that the comments could be interpreted as a veiled reference to former US President Donald Trump. Mir later announced that Asif would not remain on air after the commercial break.

Pakistan has never formally recognised Israel and has consistently aligned itself with Iran on regional issues, citing shared strategic and ideological interests.

Meanwhile, Israel has firmly rejected any role for Pakistan in Gaza’s post-war security framework. In an interview with NDTV, Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, expressed strong opposition to the Pakistan Army’s participation in any International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza, proposed under former US President Trump’s Gaza plan.

“We are not comfortable with the Pakistan Army playing any role in Gaza,” Azar said, citing Israel’s concerns over Pakistan’s alleged links with Hamas and Pakistan-based militant groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba.

When asked directly whether Israel would accept Pakistani military involvement in Gaza, Azar responded with a clear “no,” underscoring Israel’s disapproval and deep security concerns.