Why Pakistanis should be Zionists

Criticise Israels actions, how it treats Palestinians, but recognise too that it exists for the same reason Pakistan exists

“Pakistan not only means freedom and independence but the Muslim Ideology which has to be preserved, which has come to us as a precious gift and treasure and which, we hope others will share with us.”

So said Muhamed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. Along with others, Jinnah created a state designed specifically as a homeland - and protector - for South Asian Muslims. And Pakistan's constitution is very clear about its purpose:

Wherein the State shall exercise its powers and authority through the chosen representatives of the people;

Wherein the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice, as enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed;

Wherein the Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah;

Wherein adequate provision shall be made for the minorities freely to profess and practise their religions and develop their cultures;

I'm not going to examine the extent to which Pakistan has lived up to Jinnah's dream (although his views on women could do with a hearing - "It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live") but rather to draw a parallel with another place. Here's the opening of its Declaration of Independence:

WE HEREBY DECLARE that, with effect from the moment of the termination of the Mandate being tonight, the eve of Sabbath, the 6th Iyar, 5708 (15th May, 1948), and until the establishment of the elected, regular authorities of the State in accordance with the Constitution which shall be adopted by the Elected Constituent Assembly not later than the 1st October 1948, the National Council shall act as a Provisional Council of State, and its executive organ ... shall be the Provisional Government of the Jewish State, to be called "Israel".

Just as Pakistan was created as a land of safety for Muslims and with laws inspired by Islam, Israel was created to provide a home - it was hoped a safe home - for the world's persecuted Jews. This is, in its simplest form, Zionism. As with any discussion of Pakistan, we have to set apart the purpose of its formation from the failings of Israel's subsequent leaders or government. Just as Pakistan struggles at time with Jinnah's ideals of democracy, pluralism and equality, Israel has often responded bluntly and aggressively to the legitimate grievances of Palestine's Muslim and Christian communities. But this doesn't alter the rightness of the two states' reason for existing - home, safety and a future for a persecuted minority.

So when I hear my Pakistani friends bemoan Israel with loud cries of righteous support for their Palestinian brothers and sisters, I think of why Pakistan exists and say to them - if you believe in Pakistan's right to exist as an Islamic state, you should also recognise Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state - you should be a Zionist. Criticise Israels actions, how it treats Palestinians, but recognise too that it exists for the same reason Pakistan exists.