Pakistan: Since the independence in 1947 the Pakistani state has been repeatedly challenged by various groups on the basis of nationalism, regional separatism, religious doctrine and political ideology. This instability has been mirrored in domestic politics, where democracy has been regularly undermined or interrupted by periods of authoritarian military rule. Palestine: No country in the Middle East conjures up as much anger and passion in the Arab psyche as Palestine. It is nation of cultures and religions bound together by history and inalienable rights. Religion and culture have often intermixed with colonial influence and the Cold War with deadly effect. Since 1948, and again in 1967, millions of Palestinians have been driven from their homes and live in squalor in refugee camps which festoon the Arab world.Pakistan - Palestine Relations & Support:Pakistan & Palestine relationsare the bilateral relationship betweenIslamic Republic of Pakistanand theState of Palestine. Pakistan fully supports the proposal of the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Pakistan and Palestine have a very close and cultural relationship.Soon after independence, Pakistan appointed six representatives abroad out of, which three were sent to the Muslim countries, i.e. Afghanistan, Iran and Egypt. In October 1947, MA Jinnah warned that the partition of Palestine would entail the gravest danger and unprecedented conflict and that the entire Muslim world will revolt against such a decision which cannot be supported historically, politically and morally. Soon afterwards, Pakistan said at the United Nations that all the Holy Land was being nailed and stretched on the cross. By the end of 1948, Pakistan had established diplomatic relations with almost all the Muslim countries of the world. Pakistan also gave complete moral support to the Muslims who were struggling for their independence in different parts of the world.The first foreign policy issue which engaged the attention of the newly born dominion of Pakistan was the Palestine question which had come before the UN General. Pakistan suggested that the UN should strive to find a solution, which would be in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of the people concerned. Pakistan opposed the partition of Palestine and warned the UN that, the partition of Palestine might provoke a conflict which the UN might find difficult to contain.The Pakistan Air-Force participated in the 1967 and 1973 ArabIsraeli wars, Pakistani pilots flying Jordanian and Syrian planes downed some Israeli planes, After the 1973 war, Pakistan and the PLO signed an agreement for training PLO officers in Pakistani military institutions.The first Islamic Conference was held at Rabat. Pakistan took an active part in the proceedings of the Summit and pledged full support of the Muslim world for the liberation of Palestine, demanded the restoration of Jerusalem as well as the occupied Arab territory to the pre-June 1967 status.Holding of the Second Islamic Summit Conference at Lahore was a landmark in the history of Pakistan relations with the Muslim countries. Not only all the 30 invited states attended the conference but some new members also joined it, bringing the total number of participants to thirty-eight. The Lahore summit recognized P.L.O. as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestine nation. P.L.O was admitted as a full member of the OIC. Prime Minister said in his keynote address that, Pakistans stand (on Palestine) was neither emotional nor ephemeral, it was based on sound principles in history, law and international legality. The stand can be betrayed. It can never be faulted.In 1975, Pakistan had supported and voted in favor ofUN General Assembly which had equated Zionism with racism. After thePalestinian Declaration of Independenceon November 15, 1988, Pakistan thenrecognizedtheState of Palestineon 16 November 1988 and had established full diplomatic relations with it by the end of 1989. The number of bilateral series has increased as Palestine football team to visits Pakistan. The Palestinian team tours throughout the year, they play matches abroad because the political situation in Palestine doesnt allow them to hold international events.Pakistans support to their cause is appreciated by the people of Palestine and there is no doubt that one of the reasons of this countrys sufferings is its condemnation of Israeli illegal settlements and support to the Palestinian refugees. For this support, Pakistan is paying a heavy price as the Jewish State is helping the forces inimical to Pakistan in their conspiracies to destabilize it. Official Visits:After the January 2006Palestinian legislative elections, Pakistani government called on the world to accept the choice and reality of the Palestinian people and must not shut the doors to the Palestinian people. The Palestinian Foreign Minister visited Pakistan and thanked Pakistan for supporting the rights of the Palestinian people. He also received millions of dollars in aid from the Pakistani government. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited twice to Pakistan. In his visits, he made political talks with the Pakistani leaders regarding the current situation of the Middle East and the peace process between Palestine and Israel. He also discussed about the developments in the occupied territories and the international efforts exerted so far to attain peace in the region, and to implement related agreements in addition to the support Pakistan provides to Palestine. Diplomatic & Moral Support for Palestine:During the2008-2009 Israel-Gaza conflict, Pakistani government condemned the Israeli attacks in Gaza that killed over 1500 people and later appealed for cessation of hostilities. On January 11, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, called for an immediate ceasefire and calm. He criticized Israel saying the unrestrained use of force, scale of destruction, killing of innocent civilians, including women and children, the violation of UN safe havens, and the collective punishment of an entire people were blatant breaches of international law. He said that those act, in their totality, constituted war crimes and crimes against humanity. He also called for the end of Israel's blockade in Gaza. After theGaza flotilla raidon May 31, 2010, Pakistanstrongly condemned the Israeli action, calling it a cruel act and an open violation of international laws and ethics. Foreign Minister stated that "Pakistan strongly condemns this incident. Our point of view was that there was no moral or legal reason for this attack". The Pakistani government also expressed deep concern over the well-being of Pakistanis and journalists on board and Pakistani missions are in touch with Arab countries of the region to get information about the status of the Pakistani nationals in the flotilla.During the November 2012Operation Pillar of Defensein the Gaza Strip, thePakistani Prime Minister spoke to Egyptian Presidentand said that Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli air attacks in Gaza "that have targeted not only the Hamas leadership but also innocent civilians". He said Pakistan considers Israeli action as "a grave violation of international law and all humanitarian norms". He added that Israeli threats of a ground offensive against Gaza were even more disturbing. On November 29, 2012, Pakistan voted in favor ofUN General Assembly Resolution, Palestinetonon-member observer statestatus in theUnited Nations.During the2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, Prime Ministerof Pakistanstated that: "I am saddened and disappointed to note the silence of international community against this injustice, the silence and ineffectiveness of the Muslim Ummah has made Palestinians more vulnerable and made Israel more aggressive. The world must stop Israel from this naked and brutal aggression". He termed the Israeli atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza as genocide, urging the world to stop Israels naked and brutal aggression.Ups & Downs in Diplomatic Relations:But here is the fact that Pakistans relations with the Palestinian Authority (PA) are not as warm as would be expected between two Muslim-majority countries. Former leader of PalestineYasser Arafat, has always blamed Pakistan for assisting Jordan in the expulsion of Palestinian refugees from the country in the 1970s. Then, Pakistan have had a complicated relationship with Israel. During the fight against the Soviets in Afghanistan, there were always suspicions that US arms were being routed through the Jewish state. And while we dont officially recognize Israel, former president Pervez Musharraf did make overtures in that direction. This is in line with the rest of the international community, which considers Hamas a terrorist organization and does not accept its electoral victories.Economic Relations:Pakistan and Palestine need to focus on developing bilateral trade cooperation to create better economic opportunities for their people. Pakistan and Palestine have recently agreed to constitute a joint commission comprising of Foreign Ministers of the two countries to expand the existing political cooperation into other areas including economy, agriculture, banking, education and social and cultural sectors and hoped that this commission would play a positive role in developing bilateral trade relations between the two countries as well.Such relations has re-iterated the commitment of Pakistani people and government for an independent homeland for Palestinian people and withdrawal of Israel from all occupied territories of Palestine. Pakistan wants peace in Palestine so that trade and economic activities could flourish and people of Palestine could enjoy a better living standard. For this purpose, Pakistan has always supported all efforts aimed at resolving the Palestinian dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. Pakistani businessmen were ready to cooperate with Palestine for economic development and joint ventures because the Arab countries have huge economic potential as the region was endowed with plenty of natural resources. However, solution of Palestinian problem is essential to fully harness and exploit the available trade and economic opportunities of this region.Summary of Relations:Muslim Brotherhood: Pakistanis and Palestinians are tied with each other by the relation of religion. Pakistan has to demonstrate solidarity with the Muslim brothers in Palestine. It has always supported the Palestinian cause on all international forums and has condemned the Israeli atrocities and violations of human rights in Palestine.Political Support for Similar Issues:Pakistan has to develop common position with the Muslim countries on international issues because it is also facing the unresolved issue of Kashmir with India. Its pro-Palestinian stance would make it win the support of Muslim community for freedom struggle in Kashmir. Pakistan needs strong diplomatic support against the illegal occupation of Kashmir by India.Holy Places: Illegal occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel is a serious issue for the entire Muslim world. Al-Aqsa mosque in the holy city of Al-Quds was the first Qibla of Muslims and the third holiest Islamic shrine on the earth. It is incumbent on all Muslims to defend its dignity and honor as part of Muslim faith. Economic Reasons:Going in step with the Muslim countries for diplomatic support of Palestine would enable Pakistan to make better trading relations and military cooperation with them. Pakistan strongly needs to uplift its poor economy by having financial assistance from the Islamic countries and by promoting bilateral trade with them.Conclusion:While expressions of support for Palestinians are appropriate, we should avoid getting entangled in the intractable Israel-Palestine issue. The problems we face at home, specifically that of terrorists who share many ideological beliefs with Hamas, are far more pressing and there is very little we can contribute to revive the moribund peace process. This matter is best left to Palestines neighbors, who have far more at stake in the matter. All we can do is continue voting in favor of pro-Palestine resolutions at the UN General Assembly and keep relations with the PA as warm as possible.

References:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan%E2%80%93Palestine_relationshttp://tribune.com.pk/story/509090/relations-with-palestine/http://nation.com.pk/business/30-Apr-2013/pakistan-palestine-need-to-boost-trade-tieshttp://www.quazoo.com/q/Pakistan%E2%80%93Palestine_relationshttp://www.opinion-maker.org/2014/08/pakistan-and-palestine/http://storyofpakistan.com/ideology-as-a-factor-in-pakistan-foreign-policy-a-historian-view-point/http://www.arabnews.com/news/603041 http://pakobserver.net/201302/19/detailnews.asp?id=196556http://olevel-answers-cie.blogspot.com/2012/10/why-has-pakistan-supported-palestinian.htmlhttps://www.academia.edu/2308521/Beyond_the_Veil_Israel-Pakistan_Relationshttp://www.insightonconflict.org/conflicts/pakistan/conflict-profile/http://tribune.com.pk/story/772286/bilateral-series-palestine-football-team-to-visit-pakistan/

..Pakistan Studies

End-Term Assignment: Pakistan & Palestine Relations

Submitted To:Maam Areeba Mann

Submitted By:Iqra Majid (02113261-B)Muizz Amjad (02113059-B)