The mask didn't just slip; it was ripped off in broad daylight. When Eylon Levy, the former Israeli government spokesperson, sat down for an interview with ANI this week, he didn't mince words. He laid out a reality that many in New Delhi have shouted from the rooftops for decades, but one that the West has often preferred to ignore for the sake of "strategic convenience." Pakistan isn't just a struggling democracy or a "complicated" partner. It’s a state that systematically supports terrorism as a core instrument of its foreign policy.
This isn't just about hurt feelings or diplomatic spats. It’s about a nuclear-armed nation openly calling for the annihilation of another state while simultaneously positioning itself as a "peacemaker." If that sounds like a dark joke to you, you’re not alone.
The Outrage That Broke the Camel’s Back
The immediate trigger for Levy’s scathing critique was a now-deleted social media post by Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif. In a display of what Levy called "blatant antisemitic blood libels," Asif referred to Israel as "evil" and a "curse for humanity." He even went as far as calling for those who founded Israel to "burn in hell."
It’s one thing for a radical cleric to scream these things on a street corner. It’s another entirely when the man in charge of a nuclear arsenal says it. Levy pointed out that Israel rightly interprets this as a call for annihilation. When a country with a history of proliferation—remember the A.Q. Khan network?—starts using that kind of language, the world needs to stop and listen. Honestly, the fact that the post was deleted doesn't change the underlying intent. The intent is clear: hostility isn't a bug in the Pakistani system; it's the main feature.
Playing Both Sides is a Dangerous Game
One of the most frustrating things about Pakistan’s international standing is its ability to play the mediator. Currently, Pakistan is trying to wedge itself into negotiations with Iran, acting as a "good-faith" actor. Levy’s warning here is sharp. He argues that by allowing Pakistan to act as a global power broker, the international community is setting a "dangerous precedent."
Think about it. You’re asking a country that is a staunch ally of the Iranian regime—the same regime trying to build a radical Islamic axis—to help mediate peace. It’s like asking a getaway driver to negotiate the terms of a bank heist’s surrender. Levy didn't hold back on the history here, either. He reminded everyone that it was a Pakistani (A.Q. Khan) who helped kickstart Iran’s nuclear program in the first place. The ties aren't just diplomatic; they’re foundational to the very threats Israel and India face today.
Why India and Israel are in the Same Boat
For a long time, the security concerns of India were treated by some Western capitals as a "regional issue" or a "bilateral dispute over Kashmir." But Levy’s comments bridge that gap. He noted that what Israelis are seeing now is exactly what Indians have known for years. Pakistan’s support for proxy groups isn't an accident. Whether it’s Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) or Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), these groups aren't "freedom fighters." They’re extensions of a state apparatus designed to keep neighbors off balance.
- Systemic Support: This isn't about rogue elements. It’s about a military and intelligence structure that views terror as a cost-effective way to project power.
- The Nuclear Threat: We’re talking about the only country in the world that combines a history of state-sponsored terror with a nuclear stockpile and a failing economy. That’s a volatile mix.
- The Radical Axis: Levy pointed toward an emerging alignment between Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey. This isn't just a problem for the Middle East; it’s a direct threat to the stability of West Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
The Myth of the Good-Faith Actor
We need to stop pretending that Pakistan is a victim of the terrorism it helped create. While the country has certainly suffered from internal blowback—groups like the TTP—the state’s primary strategy hasn't changed. It continues to provide safe havens and financial lifelines to groups that target India and, increasingly, rhetoric that targets Israel.
Levy’s argument is that the world’s "moral blindness" is rewarding this behavior. When international bodies or Western leaders give Pakistan a seat at the table without demanding a total dismantling of its terror infrastructure, they’re basically saying that "terrorism works." If you support a radical axis and then get to play peacemaker, why would you ever change?
What Actually Needs to Happen
If we’re going to be serious about regional security, the "business as usual" approach with Islamabad has to end. You can't claim to be fighting a war on terror while propping up the very state that serves as its primary incubator.
- Demand Accountability: Financial pressure via the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) shouldn't be a temporary measure. The scrutiny needs to stay until the infrastructure is gone, not just hidden.
- Stop the Mediation Charade: You don't get to be a peace broker when your own cabinet ministers are calling for the destruction of other nations.
- Strengthen the India-Israel Tech and Intelligence Bond: Both countries face asymmetrical threats. Sharing real-time intelligence on proxy groups isn't just a "good idea"—it’s a survival necessity.
The "mask is off," as Levy said. Now the question is whether the rest of the world has the courage to look at the face underneath and act accordingly. Don't wait for another major attack to realize that rhetoric has consequences. It’s time to stop treating Pakistan like a partner and start treating it like the destabilizing force it has proven to be.
