Why is it not just a matter of recognition?

The posture of Arab states towards Israel is becoming soft. They want to establish relations with Israel. After a move by the UAE to recognize Israel, a debate in the South Asian nations about establishing ties with the Jewish state, Israel, has once again started.

Furthermore, it's being debated who is next in the queue? Is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia going to recognize Israel and paving the way for its allies to recognize it as well? Or other Arab states? Does Islamabad intend to recognize Tel Aviv after the Arab states? What will happen if Pakistan recognizes Israel? Why are the Gulf countries coming closer to Israel? Many other burning questions are being debated.

Many Pakistani journalists think Pakistan needs to reconsider its policy to Israel to remain in step with the shifting geopolitics in the Middle East and it is time to recognize Israel as a separate country since the UAE recognized Israel as a sovereign country while Turkey, Egypt and Jordan have already recognized Israel, as have Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. These handfuls of TV anchors, journalists and other supporters of Israel do not represent the feelings of more than 200 million people of the country.

In International Relations, a famous saying of Lord Palmerston is often quoted, 'nations have no permanent enemies, only permanent interests'. The decision to recognize Israel may be in the interests of Pakistan in many aspects like technology and weapons sharing. Also, Israel is one of the most technologically advanced and influential countries in the world. The decision may also deepen the ties of Pakistan with the USA. It may represent Pakistan as a friendly and moderate Islamic country to the world. By building trade relations with Israel, Pakistan can boost its economy as Israel offers a huge market. And the feeling that the India-Israel connections is working against Pakistan, may be lowered.

But the decision may have several harmful implications as well and we cannot neglect that. It could prove a death sentence to the political party implementing the decision. In Pakistan, religious parties have a lot of power. Many recent incidents and the history of Pakistan prove this. The very next moment after the recognition of Israel, in Pakistan mass protests may erupt all over the country led by the clergy and religious parties. A chaotic situation may arise which will prove a serious blow to the Pakistani economy.

The world must work for the peaceful solution of the...