Pakistan’s defense minister sparked a diplomatic firestorm on Thursday after issuing a blistering condemnation of Israel, prompting sharp responses from Israeli leadership at a time when Pakistan is attempting to facilitate talks between the United States and Iran and amid ongoing Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Minister of Defense, posted a strongly worded message on X, declaring that “Israel is evil and a curse for humanity, while peace talks are underway in Islamabad, genocide is being committed in Lebanon.”

He went on to escalate his rhetoric further, writing: “Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran, and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated. I hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews burn in hell.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, issued a forceful response, condemning the remarks and warning that such language undermines any claim of neutrality in mediation efforts. He stated that “Israel views these blatant antisemitic blood libels very gravely from a government claiming to ‘mediate peace.'”

Sa’ar added that “calling the Jewish state ‘cancerous’ is effectively calling for its annihilation.”

“Israel will defend itself against terrorists who vow its destruction,” Sa’ar vowed.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office also weighed in, denouncing the Pakistani minister’s comments in strong terms. “Pakistan Defense Minister’s call for Israel’s annihilation is outrageous. This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace.”