My Word: The ‘I-P Test’ of hypocrisy - opinion

This piece, penned for The Jerusalem Post, delves into the pervasive hypocrisy observed in the international arena, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader Middle East dynamics. The author highlights the stark contrast between diplomatic posturing and underlying sentiments, using Pakistan's recent involvement in US-Iran peace talks as a prime example.

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Israel is evil, and a curse for humanity, while peace talks are underway in Islamabad, genocide is being committed in Lebanon. Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran, 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.

The inflammatory, albeit deleted, social media post by Pakistan's defense minister, Khawaja M. Asif, is dissected to reveal a deeply ingrained animosity towards Israel. The use of terms like "evil," "genocide," and "cancerous state," alongside accusations of blood libel, is presented not merely as a diplomatic gaffe but as symptomatic of a broader, often unspoken, anti-Israel sentiment that complicates genuine peace efforts. The article points out the irony of Pakistan hosting peace talks while its minister spews such vitriol.

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Despite the tortured English, the twisted thinking – evident in the genocide, colonialist, and blood libel tropes – was clear.

Furthermore, the piece extends its critique to Spain, where an effigy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was detonated as part of a local carnival. While framed as "innocent fun," the author draws a chilling parallel to historical persecutions, suggesting a disturbing continuity in public expressions of hostility. This "I-P Test" of hypocrisy, as the author terms it, challenges nations and individuals to reconcile their stated positions with their actions and underlying beliefs, particularly when engaging with or commenting on Israel's security concerns and its right to self-defense.

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That’s literally “blown up,” not “inflated.”