Summary: This article examines a landmark moment in the journey toward peace between Israel and the Muslim world. On September 17, 2005, New York hosted an unprecedented event: Pakistan’s then-president, Pervez Musharraf, the head of the only nuclear-armed Muslim nation, stood beside Jack Rosen and addressed Jewish leaders. In an unprecedented speech, he declared, “Pakistan has no direct conflict or dispute with Israel. We pose no threat to Israel’s security. We trust that Israel poses no threat to Pakistan’s national security.” Musharraf spoke of “Israel’s legitimate desire for assured security,” acknowledged Palestinian aspirations, condemned violence and terrorism, and called for closing “a sad chapter in the history of the Middle East.” This pivotal event shifted regional perceptions, creating a foundation for future diplomatic transformations, including the spirit of reconciliation seen in the Abraham Accords of 2020.
Jack Rosen and Pakistani President Musharraf at the American Jewish Congress and Council for World Jewry dinner in New York, Sept. 17, 2005
In 2005, Jack Rosen, Chairman of the American Jewish Congress (AJCongress) and the American Council for World Jewry (ACWJ) orchestrated a diplomatic breakthrough that seemed unimaginable at the time: direct engagement between Pakistan, a major Muslim-majority nation, and Israel. This historic milestone played a role in encouraging leaders in the Middle East to expand engagement with Israel. Years later, we saw the same spirit of engagement embodied by the Abraham Accords in 2020.
At the time, Israel had withdrawn from Gaza. Major Arab and Muslim states cautiously considered improving ties with the Jewish state. But it was Jack Rosen’s hosting of the Pakistani president at the time in New York for a first-of-its-kind public meeting with American Jewish leaders, coming at the heels of a handshake with Israel’s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the first official meeting between the foreign ministers of Israel and Pakistan, in Turkey, that took the world of Middle East diplomacy by surprise. In all of this, Rosen’s carefully cultivated ties in the region—with the leaders in Turkey, Pakistan and Israel, and longstanding relationships in Washington—played a role in building an Israel-Pakistan momentum.
Such breakthroughs are not alien to the American Jewish Congress. In 1992, seven of the organization’s office-bearers became the first Jewish American leaders to publicly visit Saudi Arabia. By 2010, the AJCongress had brought Jewish and Palestinian businessmen in America together to infuse new vigor into the Palestinian economy. And in January 2000, Jack Rosen traveled to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Abdullah, who later ascended the throne, and again, in 2017, to meet the new Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
After an 18-year hiatus, AJCongress renewed its engagement with Pakistan in 2023 by strategically reaching out to Pakistani public opinion. Through initiatives such as Urdu-language newsletters, AJCongress connected with Pakistan’s global diaspora of 220 million, including a thriving Pakistani-American community. Rosen and AJCongress aimed at resuming work on the progress that Jerusalem and Islamabad made in 2005. In doing so, AJCongress has been guided by the imperative to ensure Israel’s security and expand the vision for peace in the region that benefits everyone.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri, left, shakes hands with his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005. (AP Photo/Murad Sezer)
A Historic First in Global Diplomacy
Back in 2005, the effort led by the American Jewish Congress culminated in two historic milestones:
- The First-Ever Public Meeting: On September 1, 2005, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Israel met publicly in Istanbul. This unprecedented meeting was a bold diplomatic gamble, and was described as “historic” by Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom: “I have just completed an historic first meeting with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, my colleague Khurshid Kasuri,” Minister Shalom said in an official statement. The New York Times headlined, ‘Historic’ Meeting for Israel and Pakistan, and Saudi-based Arab News emphasized the Pakistani president’s engagement with the American Jewish Congress at the heart of this development.
- A Handshake: On Sept. 15, two days before the event by the American Jewish Congress, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel and President Musharraf had a handshake at the United Nations building in New York, where both attended the annual General Assembly session. No picture was released by either side but Haaretz in Israel and Arab News in Saudi Arabia reported that a “chance” meeting took place. Back in Pakistan, Musharraf later described Sharon in an interview as “courageous.”
- A Historic Presidential Engagement: Later that month, on Sept. 17, 2005, the Pakistani president, in another unprecedented move, addressed a gathering of American Jewry convened by the American Jewish Congress and the American Council for World Jewry in New York. Standing before a hall filled with U.S. Jewish leaders, the Pakistani president advocated for peace, cooperation, and the potential for Israel-Pakistan relations. The Pakistani leader’s speech drew a standing ovation, an emotional acknowledgment of his courage in pushing for dialogue and the need for closing ranks in the region in the face of common threats amid the war on terror after 9/11. While Various Pakistani leaders privately engaged their Israeli counterparts over the decades in pursuit of peace and national interest, this was the first time that a leader from the Muslim world publicly spoke to American Jewish leadership and the wider American public opinion in this manner. The speech the Pakistani leader delivered was designed to speak for the interests of the Muslim world, a role that Pakistan often assumes when its representatives deliver statements on behalf of the Muslim bloc at the United Nations. [Additional news reporting by BBC, Arab News, Jerusalem Post, Haaretz and Ynet News].
- A Matter of Congressional Record: On Sept. 27, 2005, the remarks delivered by Jack Rosen and the Pakistani president were presented on the floor of the House of Representatives by Rep. Tom Lantos and were formally made part of the U.S. Congressional Record. Rep. Lantos told the House that “this remarkable event would not have taken place without the extraordinary leadership of Jack Rosen,” and that the Pakistani leader’s speech was “a remarkable demonstration of vision and daring–and at considerable personal and political risk.”
Pakistani President Musharraf (center), and Jack Rosen (right), Chairman, American Jewish Congress, at a landmark address by the head of a major Muslim nation to the Jewish community in New York, September 17, 2005.
Groundbreaking Policy Changes
The ripple effects of these engagements were immediate:
- Trade License Waiver: About a week after the AJCongress event, the Israeli Cabinet, under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, approved on Sept. 12, 2005, an import waiver for goods from Pakistan, easing trade restrictions between the two nations. This policy, quietly groundbreaking at the time, was updated on the website of the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry in January 2022—a testament to the enduring impact of these initiatives. In effect, then Deputy Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert waived the requirement for an import license as a prerequisite for importing goods from Pakistan.
- Unofficial Delegation In Israel: Later that year, in November, a 174-member Pakistani delegation—including religious scholars, retired officials, and businessmen—traveled to Israel for non-official talks, further cementing the possibility of stronger ties.
- Jack Rosen In Islamabad: Also in November 2005, Jack Rosen visited the Pakistani federal capital Islamabad and the nearby military garrison city of Rawalpindi and held a formal meeting with President Musharraf and other leaders. A Pakistani spokesman confirmed the Rosen-Musharraf meeting and said the Pakistani president told the American Jewish leader that his country might soon forge diplomatic ties with Israel.
- Israel offered Pakistan earthquake aid and Islamabad accepted it. Jewish American organizations dispatched aid to Pakistan.
The Personal Touch: Diplomacy Beyond Politics
What made these breakthroughs even more remarkable was the personal effort of Jack Rosen, who leveraged relationships, vision, and empathy to bring these two nations closer. During President Musharraf’s address at the AJCongress, Jack Rosen underscored the humanitarian spirit underpinning their dialogue. He shared how Jewish communities in the U.S. were actively raising funds to aid victims of the October 8, 2005 earthquake, which had wrought devastation across northern Pakistan. This gesture underscored a broader message: diplomacy is not just about politics, but about humanity.
Rosen publicly highlighted Israel’s willingness to establish diplomatic and trade ties with Pakistan, while Musharraf reciprocated by acknowledging Israel’s right to security, provided the Palestinian issue could be resolved. These rare acts of public candor between the two nations revealed the possibilities of a peaceful, cooperative future.
Challenges and Fallout
Despite this remarkable progress, the diplomatic momentum faltered following President Musharraf’s resignation in 2008 amid domestic political turmoil. The promising dialogue initiated in 2005 gave way to silence, as subsequent Pakistani administrations refrained from pursuing further engagement with Israel due to political and ideological pressures.
Yet the seeds planted in 2005 did not wither entirely. The legacy of these talks lingered as a reminder of what was possible, setting the stage for future dialogue and informal engagement between the two nations. In 2019, now a private citizen, Musharraf issued a fresh call for “strong Pakistan-Israel ties” in a press conference in Dubai that was reported by the Saudi-based Al-Arabiya network that also recalled the past role of Jack Rosen and AJCongress. Rosen took to X/Twitter and reinforced the idea of reviving Israel-Pakistan dialogue. In 2022, Israeli President Isaac Herzog talked about prospects for Israel-Pakistan ties during a World Economic Forum panel discussion.
Reviving the Conversation: 2023 and October 7
Nearly two decades later, in 2023, Jack Rosen and the American Jewish Congress found themselves at the center of renewed attention on Israel-Pakistan relations. The spark came in the form of a Pakistani food export shipment to Israel, facilitated by Pakistani-Jewish businessman Fishel BenKhald and Israeli partners through a UAE trade show.
AJCongress issued a press release welcoming this development, calling it a small yet meaningful step in fostering economic ties between the two nations. What followed was an unexpected wave of media attention in Pakistan, the Middle East, and beyond [see reporting by Voice of America and the Associated Press]. Pakistani talk shows covering the story in March and April 2023 revisited the events of 2005. It was remarkable to see AJCongress and Jack Rosen back in Pakistani headlines. The Pakistani government’s official statement on the trade referenced AJCongress twice, highlighting the organization’s long-standing role in facilitating dialogue. Through this coverage, a new generation of Pakistanis were educated in past efforts to forge ties between their nation and Israel. And this might have positively informed official Pakistani thinking on the morning of October 7, 2023, as Hamas invaded southern Israel and committed a massacre. The Pakistan interim prime minister at the time tweeted a rare condemnation of the attack on civilians that morning.
Why 2005 Still Matters Today
The 2005 breakthrough was more than a moment in history—it was a testament to the power of creative diplomacy in forging connections once thought impossible. By bringing Pakistan and Israel into the same room, Jack Rosen and the AJCongress challenged decades of hostility and proved that dialogue, no matter how improbable, is always worth pursuing.
The American Jewish Congress renewed its engagement with Pakistan in 2023, launching fresh initiatives to reconnect with the Pakistani public. Through outreach campaigns, including Urdu-language newsletters and articles, AJCongress sought to reach Pakistan’s vast global diaspora of 220 million, spanning the Middle East, South Asia, and a thriving Pakistani-American community in the United States. The organization focused on reviving the dialogue between Jerusalem and Islamabad, building on the progress achieved nearly two decades earlier. This renewed effort reflects AJCongress’ enduring commitment to advancing regional peace and strengthening Israel’s security while fostering opportunities for broader cooperation that benefit all stakeholders.
Below are the full remarks by Rep. Tom Lantos on the floor of the House on Sept. 27, 2005, and the full text of the speeches by Jack Rosen and the Pakistani president delivered in New York on Sept. 17, 2005.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: REP. TOM LANTOS ENTERS JACK ROSEN’S PAKISTAN-ISRAEL EFFORTS AND HISTORIC 2005 SPEECH INTO THE OFFICIAL RECORD
In 2005, Jack Rosen, Chairman of the American Jewish Congress and the American Council for World Jewry, hosted a groundbreaking event in New York City: a festive dinner with Jewish leaders and Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf. This unprecedented meeting was described in the Middle East as a “historic moment.”
Rep. Tom Lantos brought Rosen’s and the Pakistani leader’s speeches to the floor of the House of Representatives, formally requesting that the speeches are added into the U.S. Congressional Record, solidifying their place in the annals of American legislative and political history.
Here is the full text of Rep. Lantos’ remarks in the House on Sept. 27, 2005, as well as the speeches by Jack Rosen and President Pervez Musharraf, in that order, on Sept. 17, 2005.
REMARKS BY HON. TOM LANTOS OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, September 27, 2005 | Source: Congressional Record
Mr. LANTOS: Mr. Speaker, just a few days ago, it was my great honor and pleasure to join my dear friend, Jack Rosen, the Chairman of the American Jewish Congress and the Council for World Jewry at a dinner in New York City honoring President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan. The President gave an outstanding speech reflecting his standing as the quintessential Muslim leader who has fostered moderation, reason, and pluralism. Mr. Speaker, this remarkable event would not have taken place without the extraordinary leadership of Jack Rosen. He met President Musharraf some time ago in Pakistan. At that meeting the seeds were planted that eventually blossomed into the event in New York a few days ago. This event honoring the Pakistani President is only the latest example of Jack Rosen’s visionary leadership and indefatigable commitment to public service. In the short time that he has served as Chairman of the American Jewish Congress, he has made an important difference in broadening and deepening the work of this important Jewish organization. Mr. Speaker, at the event in New York last week, Jack introduced President Musharraf to the audience at the dinner in his honor. Jack’s comments were particularly insightful on U.S.- Pakistani relations and the worldwide struggle against terrorism. My colleagues in the Congress should have the opportunity to read the excellent remarks he made. I ask that his address be placed in the RECORD, Mr. Speaker, and I urge my colleagues to give it thoughtful attention.
FULL TEXT: REMARKS BY JACK ROSEN INTRODUCING PRESIDENT PERVEZ MUSHARRAF OF PAKISTAN AT THE AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS/COUNCIL FOR WORLD JEWRY EVENT IN NEW YORK, September 17, 2005
“This is an unprecedented evening, and we are delighted to welcome not only our keynote speaker, but more than 60 Pakistani American leaders who have joined us. We demonstrate tonight, by example, something that happens every day in hundreds of communities across the United States—Muslims, Jews and Christians sharing a meal, talking about our desires and dreams and even our differences. President Pervez Musharraf’s presence here tonight is the culmination of two years of preparation. In the summer of 2003, President Musharraf surprised many people in his own country and across the Muslim world when he offered a new set of ideas—first in Washington, then at the United Nations, at the Islamic Summit in Malaysia, and finally in Pakistan. He told his most important audience, his own community, that the extremist path to which some Muslims had turned to would bring nothing but misery and degradation. He said of the scourge of terror: ‘‘The unfortunate reality is that both the perpetrators of these crimes and most of the people who suffer from them are Muslims.’’ Then he offered a vision of an alternative, which he called ‘‘Enlightened Moderation.’’ He proposed a new Islamic society based on pluralism, openness, and tolerance, in order to reach what he called ‘‘socioeconomic uplift— to drag ourselves out of the pit we find ourselves in, to raise ourselves up by individual achievement and collective socio-economic emancipation.’’ Just a few months prior to giving that speech, President Musharraf broke new ground when he suggested that Pakistan might need to rethink its refusal to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, although official diplomatic ties could come only after an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. These remarks came as the Moslem world was being rent by extremist pressures, amidst cascading violence in the Middle East and dangerously mounting anti-Semitism. Difficult to say at any time, President Musharraf’s words were all the more courageous coming at the moment they did. The extremists in his own country and beyond were quick to recognize the threat to them expressed in his message of hope. Within months, terrorists in Pakistan made two major attempts on his life, and they very nearly succeeded. We must ask ourselves: What if the terrorists had succeeded? What if the vitally important country of Pakistan, with its huge Muslim population, its nuclear arms, its many extremist factions and its critical location in the region known as the arc of crisis, had tumbled into chaos, or gone the way of Iran? When you think about this, you can see why the terrorists believed it so important to silence him. President Pervez Musharraf’s decision to be with us tonight is an act of individual courage, leadership and vision. Our process that brings him here also began two years ago, resulting from informal talks we held with Pakistani officials and members of the Pakistani-American community. This led to an invitation to visit Pakistan and meet with President Musharraf. In May, I made a quiet trip to Islamabad with the Vice Chairman of our Council for World Jewry, Mr. Phil Baum, and with our very fine Director, David Twersky. Because we were aware of politically sensitive issues involved, we first consulted with senior officials in Washington and Jerusalem. Several weeks ago, I spoke with President Bush about this initiative in Crawford. President Bush said he saw this as an important opportunity and understood the significance of this step by President Musharraf. President Bush was enthusiastic about the opportunity. Since its inception, the American Jewish Congress-Council for World Jewry, working with Jewish communities around the world, has sought to build bridges to the Muslim world by pursuing contacts with authoritative, moderate Muslim political and religious figures in America and around the world. We approach this mission with sobriety and a hard headedness about the Jewish cause, with a realism about current conflicts and impending threats. But we are also driven by the compelling and urgent necessity to reach out and engage leading individuals in the Muslim world who, by meeting us at least halfway, can accelerate the process by which the Muslim world finds its way into a healthy and productive relationship with contemporary life. Our dialogue with Muslims starts with an understanding that true moderation begins with tolerance among peoples. Christians, Muslims, and Jews come from a shared common heritage, and we are three branches of one tradition and one set of core values. We recognize the vital role that mass media and education—in both public school systems as well as madrasas—plays in teaching and advocating values of moderation, tolerance and understanding. We need to ensure that tolerance is more accurately reflected in Muslim media and education systems, including in Pakistan. This must be the last generation educated to be hateful of Jews. Demonization of the Jewish people is a scourge that offends people of all racial and religious backgrounds. It is troubling that anti-Semitism has reemerged in some quarters in Europe just 60 years after the Holocaust. This is sparked by extremism. We all have an obligation to eradicate anti-Semitism from all our societies.
This must be the last generation educated to be hateful of Israel. We reject the Arab boycott against Israel and we support every effort of diplomacy and dialogue in the quest for peace and security. This must be the last generation educated to believe it is acceptable to denigrate people of other cultures and religions. For our part, Jews must work to prevent Islam from being attacked with impunity. Unfortunately, many Muslims believe attacks against Islam are fomented by us. There exists a conspiracy-theory mindset among many Muslims that seeks to blame the Jews for the ills of the Muslim world. Jewish leaders must be more active and visible to prevent attacks against Islam, and Muslims leaders, in turn, must help dispel unfounded conspiracy theories. And, finally, this must be the last generation educated to believe that terrorism is a legitimate means to achieve political ends. Acts of terror have no place in civilized societies and terrorists can never be honored as freedom fighters or martyrs. President Musharraf, you are an important voice in the Muslim world. You can carry this message to places and people that I, that we, cannot. President Musharraf’s appearance with us tonight is a symbolic act of his determination to take the struggle forward. But it is not an isolated one. Following positive reaction in Pakistan to the announcement of this meeting, he initiated other important steps toward Israel. Two weeks ago, on September 1, his Foreign Minister, Khurshid Kasuri, met openly with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. Pakistan is taking a stand, supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people to have a state of their own, but at the same time, affirming such a state will exist alongside of— and not seek to replace—the Jewish state of Israel. It has said it will now ‘‘engage’’ Israel, a step forward from Pakistan’s previous policy. President Musharraf recently praised Prime Minister Sharon as ‘‘courageous’’ for unilaterally disengaging from Gaza. For its part, Israel has agreed to loosen trade restrictions for imports of Pakistani products. On Wednesday, President Musharraf shook hands with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon—something that would have been impossible even a year ago. We are proud to be part of this historic drama. But tonight represents only a beginning of what we hope is a long process of dialogue and engagement. Organizations like ours have a continuing role to play, and we invite all of you here tonight to join with us. We would like to explore with President Musharraf opportunities to bring together Pakistani, American and Israeli citizens in a dialogue about our shared futures through a program of on-going exchanges and visits. The more our people interact with each other, the easier it will be for government leaders to act.
Let me share with you some personal information about our special guest. President Musharraf was born in Delhi in 1943. He spent his early years in Turkey, where his father served in the Pakistani Foreign Ministry. Beginning his military career in 1964, he rose through the ranks as a highly decorated soldier and officer, becoming head of the Armed Forces in 1998. The following year he assumed his country’s political leadership. He is married and has a son and a daughter. He is a critical ally and partner of the United States in fighting terrorism. Under his leadership, Pakistan’s economy is growing, it is reducing friction with its Indian neighbor, and his country is increasing its presence on the international stage. I must tell you many people expressed doubt that tonight would happen. The gap is too wide; the differences are too stark, they said. I am reminded of a famous passage from literature that describes the wide chasm which separates western and eastern cultures: “Oh East is East and West is West and ne’er the twain shall meet.’’ So it stands, engraved in conventional wisdom, as if decreed by heaven. But its author, Rudyard Kipling, who wrote as an Englishman in the Indian subcontinent—the land that includes modern day Pakistan—did not accept this insight as destiny. Instead, his poem continues: ‘‘But there is neither East nor West, Border nor breed nor birth, When two strong men stand face to face Tho’ they come from the ends of the earth.’’ These elegant words remind us that leadership and character are indispensable to the progress of Man. Mr. President, we thank you for being here with us tonight, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts on how the cause of Enlightened Moderation will be carried forward. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my very great honor to introduce to you the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Honorable Pervez Musharraf.”
FULL TEXT: SPEECH BY PAKISTANI PRESIDENT PERVEZ MUSHARRAF AT THE AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS/COUNCIL FOR WORLD JEWRY EVENT IN NEW YORK, September 17, 2005
Starting with brief remarks by Rep. Tom Lantos on the floor of the House, followed by the full text of President Musharraf’s speech – Source: Congressional Record, September 27, 2005
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, just a few days ago, it was my great honor and pleasure to share the dais with President Pervez Musharraf, who is, quite literally, the ‘Indispensable Man’ in Pakistan’s politics today—and who promises to be one of the most significant and pivotal figures in Pakistan’s history.
In a remarkable demonstration of vision and daring—and at considerable personal and political risk—the Pakistani President addressed the American Jewish Congress and the Council for World Jewry at a dinner in New York City. On that occasion, Mr. Speaker, he emphasized the commonalities among Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, and stressed the importance of working cooperatively to defeat terrorism. He expressed his positive appraisal of Prime Minister Sharon’s decision to withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza, and urged cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian leaders with the hope that both sides will “shun confrontation and pursue peace and reconciliation.”
Mr. Speaker, the Pakistani President took a very positive step in this direction earlier this month with his support for the unprecedented meeting between the Israeli and Pakistani foreign ministers in Istanbul–an event that we all hope will usher in a new era of cooperation and friendship between these two countries that are of vital importance to the United States. In light of Pakistan’s weight and influence in the Islamic world, we also hope and expect that it will be a step toward a process of mutual recognition between Israel and all the Muslim-majority nations of the world. By demonstrating to Israel that its own courageous peace initiatives are both appreciated and reciprocated, President Musharraf has made a most important contribution toward the Middle East peace, for which every person of goodwill prays.
President Musharraf is a man of vision. When we met in Washington three years ago, I urged him to follow the example of the great modernizer Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern, secular Republic of Turkey, a nation with which President Musharraf is intimately familiar. He has, in fact, blazed a trail that I believe Ataturk himself would admire. At a time when the civilized world is engaged in a global war against Islamic terrorism, President Musharraf has emerged as the quintessential Muslim leader of moderation, decency, reason, and acceptance of pluralism.
Also, Mr. Speaker, President Musharraf’s pragmatic and constructive attitude toward resolving Pakistan’s differences with India has brought with it the promise of finally bringing an end to more than half a century of animosity. He has transformed Pakistan into a tried-and-true ally in the war against terrorism, despite two al-Qaeda attempts against his life. He is a beacon to other Muslim states as the model of a moderate and enlightened Islamic leader.
Mr. Speaker, in New York, I told President Musharraf that we in Congress, on both sides of the aisle, deeply appreciate his courage and his role in creating a new Pakistan and a deeper U.S.-Pakistan friendship.
I also want my colleagues in the Congress to have the opportunity to read the excellent address the Pakistani President gave in New York at the American Jewish Congress and the Council for World Jewry. I ask that it be placed in the Record, Mr. Speaker, and I urge my colleagues to give it thoughtful attention.
FULL TEXT OF PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF’S SPEECH
Source: Congressional Record, September 27, 2005
Pakistani President addresses a Council for World Jewry/American Jewish Congress dinner in New York, Sept. 17, 2005. (Photo credit: AP via BBC)
Address to the American Jewish Congress
“Honorable Mr. Jack Rosen, Excellencies, Distinguished guests.
Let me start by expressing my personal and my nation’s grief and condolences over the devastation, loss of lives and human suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina in the southeastern states, especially New Orleans.
I thank Mr. Jack Rosen for inviting this distinguished gathering under the auspices of the American Jewish Congress. This is a unique occasion. It signifies an endeavor for mutual understanding in a time of uncertainty and fear. The unfortunate events of recent history have created division and tension between the followers of the three great monotheistic faiths–Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Your invitation card described this event as a historic occasion.
For a leader of Pakistan, it is indeed so, and I feel privileged to be speaking to so many members of what is probably the most distinguished and influential community in the United States. I also deeply appreciate that in arranging this event, the American Jewish Congress has invited members of other prominent organizations and associations representing the spectrum of American society.
I always speak my mind candidly. And I always do so with total sincerity. This is what I will do this evening. There is no longer any time for ambivalence or leisurely diplomacy.
The world has entered an era where a number of threats—terrorism, political conflicts, proliferation, poverty—have assumed global and catastrophic dimensions. They have to be resolved urgently and with finality. They cannot be merely managed in the hope that they can be resolved later. We can no longer leave these wounds festering. They pose a great danger to the world at large and our future generations. Our world today has been transformed, by the revolutions in communications and information technology, into a global village. People move, interact and affect each other. The good or bad in one region transcend geopolitical boundaries and have a global impact. The homily: “the common heritage of mankind” is now a visible reality. We are jointly responsible for the well-being, progress and prosperity of our peoples—indeed of mankind at large. Each people, nation, and religion must live with each other, accommodate each other, and do no harm to each other. Today, truly, we are our “brother’s keeper”. This is a heavy responsibility—given that our world has great wealth, but also grave poverty; great achievements, but also grave injustice; unprecedented capacity for progress and prosperity, but also the awesome capability to destroy our planet.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the major monotheistic religions of the world–Judaism, Christianity and Islam share a common heritage and converge on a multiplicity of universal values. Yet, today, our great religions—which should be a source of hope, tolerance and peace—are seen to be pitted against each other. How and why did this happen? Is it possible to reshape the future for the common benefit of humanity—for all of us? These are the questions I would like to address this evening.
On this occasion, it is relevant to recall that Jews and Muslims have more similarities and few divergences in their faith and culture. The oneness of God (which Muslims call Tauheed) is common to both Islam and Judaism. The Muslim greeting, Salam O Alaikum (peace be upon you), is akin to the Jewish greeting, Shalom, which also means peace. When I watched the last scene in the famous movie Schindler’s List’, it concludes with a quotation from the Talmud:
“Killing one innocent person is like the murder of humanity and saving one innocent person is like saving humanity.”
The identical words appear in the Holy Quran.
According to the Holy Quran and our Holy Prophet (PBUH) Jews and Christians are the “People of the Book’”, belonging to the same spiritual tradition. Abraham, Moses and Jesus are among the most revered prophets of Islam. Moses is the prophet who is most frequently referred to in the Holy Quran. Our experiences and histories intertwine in many regions of the old world and most significantly in the Holy Land. The history of interaction between the Islamic and Jewish communities is rich and long. This includes the shining examples of Jewish communities coexisting in harmony within Islamic societies in Cordova, Baghdad, Istanbul and Bokhara, contributing to a rich mosaic of culture and traditions. Many Jewish historians have referred to the days of Muslim Spain as the “golden period” when Jewish communities flourished intellectually, politically and economically in an environment of religious tolerance and scholarly inspiration. The subsequent wrath of the Inquisition was suffered jointly by Muslims and Jews. Indeed, over the centuries, Jewish communities and Islamic societies from Central Asia to Spain, have not only lived together and shared prosperity, but also suffered together. The past six decades are, therefore, an aberration in the long history of Muslim-Jewish cooperation and coexistence. Many learned studies have been written about the reasons for the hostility and violence that has occurred. I do not wish to dwell on this. Each of us has his own understanding and perception. But, it is relevant to recall that the gulf between the Muslim and Jewish communities arose in what was the bloodiest century in human history, marked by world wars, genocide and mass deportations, in which millions perished. It was in this bloody century that the Jewish people suffered their greatest tragedy—the Holocaust—whose commemoration will be on the agenda of this year’s session of the United Nations General Assembly. It was also in this brutal century that other peoples suffered their greatest tragedies—Palestinians, Kashmiris, Bosnians, Rwandese. We must not forget; but we must forgive. Suffering often engenders anger; but this must be soon replaced by compassion. And, we have witnessed such compassion from the Jewish community. It was Jewish groups in the US who were in the forefront in opposing the ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Bosnia. I am told that the largest contributor to the Bosnian cause was the Jewish-American businessman and philanthropist–George Soros. More recently, in the backlash against Muslims, including Pakistani immigrants, after 9/11, they received legal and other assistance from several Jewish groups, I wish to acknowledge and appreciate this.
These noble examples are a source of hope. Hope that we can convert this century into one which will see universal peace, progress and prosperity. This aspiration is achievable but only if we pursue reconciliation and cooperation. There are a host of challenges we all face in common—political, social and environmental. One of the most pervasive threats we confront is international terrorism. The world today is in the grip of terror. Explosives, car bombs, suicide bombers have all added a new destructive dimension to terrorism. Terrorism threatens to destabilize all modern societies. It is anti-progress. It must be rejected. It cannot be condoned for any reason or cause.
The people of Pakistan have suffered from terrorism. We continue to suffer because of extremism in our region. We are making our contribution to the fight against terrorism. Our efforts have won international appreciation. Pakistan is participating in international action against international terrorism through police and military action, intelligence sharing and measures to curb terrorist financing. But, I believe, we cannot limit ourselves to fire fighting and local actions against individuals and groups. We should also look for the deeper causes of this malaise and for the motivations that drive individuals to extreme irrational behavior to commit acts of terrorism. The question that arises is: what pushes a human being to such extremes of desperation that he takes his own life to kill others? I have no doubt whatsoever that any attempt to shy away or ignore the root causes of terrorism is shutting one’s eyes to reality and is a sure recipe for failure. Military action or use of force against the terrorists today is not, in itself, the ultimate solution to the malaise. It merely buys us time to implement profound policies to eliminate the phenomenon.
A parallel danger lies in fallacious theories and polemical campaigns motivated by prejudice. The postulated clash between civilizations, specifically between Islam and the West, has no basis in history. Civilizations have grown and prospered throughout history, influencing, interacting with and enriching each other. Regrettably, the theory has inspired attempts to turn it into a self-fulfilling prophecy. There are tendencies to associate Islam with terrorism and even suggestions that this great religion of tolerance, compassion and peace, somehow, denies espousal of these universal values. To my mind this is a hate campaign. In today’s dynamic world, we need, more than ever before, to foster understanding and harmony among societies. Should we tolerate such campaigns in our midst when we demand their rejection elsewhere? Therefore, I strongly support the endeavor to promote interfaith and inter-civilization dialogue and harmony.
However, it is a fact that, today, most of those involved in terrorist acts, as well most of those who suffer the consequences of these acts, are Muslims. Obviously, there is a deep disturbance and malaise within Islamic societies, which has become especially acute in recent years. The reasons are plain to see. Since the end of the Cold War, almost every major festering problem and conflict affects and torments the Islamic world. Palestine has been at the heart of the troubles in the Middle East. In our region, Kashmir has been the source of tension and conflict. The unfortunate history of Afghanistan spawned extremism and terrorism. Turmoil in Iraq causes great concern in the Islamic world and the rest of the international community. These and other political issues have given rise to a deep sense of anger, desperation and humiliation in the Arab and Muslim populations. It is this political and social environment which breeds terrorism and extremism.
At the same time, I do not shy away from pointing to the failure within the Islamic societies to embrace reform, progress and modernity. The Muslim world emerged from decades of colonization, politically, economically and socially stunted. Political independence did not always lead to good governance. Many of us have remained trapped in a time warp, still struggling to reconstruct our political, social and economic systems to respond to the challenges of our times. In Islamic societies, there is a divide between the outlook of the protagonists of modernity and the custodians of orthodoxy. The resultant economic deprivation and social backwardness are also the source of extremism. And extremism creates a fertile recruiting ground for terrorism. Ladies and Gentlemen, if we are to succeed against terrorism and end extremism, we must, therefore address the root causes. The leaders of today must change the course of events instead of merely reacting to a series of catastrophic events—such as 9/11 and 7/7.
First of all, I feel we need to clearly understand that terrorism and extremism are two different phenomena. Each requires a different strategy. Lumping terrorism and extremism together, or behaving as if they are synonymous, is a fallacy. Terrorism has to be met head on with all the force required to suppress and eradicate it. In the case of extremism, the battle has to be won in the hearts and minds of people. It cannot be achieved through the use of force. We must adopt separate short term and long-term strategies to address terrorism and extremism. Such immediate and long-term strategies have to be implemented at three tiers: the global level, the Muslim world level and the national level in the concerned countries.
In the immediate context, terrorism, as I said, has to be confronted with force all over the world. Intimate cooperation and coordination of intelligence and squeezing the underworld funding of terrorist and extremist organizations will facilitate counter terrorism operations to a large degree.
At the same time, to ensure success, it is essential, together with the use of force, to promote the resolution of the political disputes, which are exploited by terrorists to justify their criminal actions. Among these political disputes, may I be allowed to say clearly that the Palestinian and Kashmir disputes are ripe for resolution. One can draw satisfaction from the fact that visible signs of movement are appearing towards an end to both these disputes. We ought to put our collective weight behind a push for their final solution. Secondly, for the long term, the socioeconomic revival of the Muslim world, focusing particularly on education and poverty alleviation, will also erode the core of terrorism and extremism.
I have strongly advocated reform, social and economic progress and rejection of extremism in Islamic societies. In parallel, I have emphasized that the international community, particularly the West, must facilitate the resolution of outstanding problems, in particular the problem of Palestine.
I have described this two-pronged approach as Enlightened Moderation. Regardless of the nomenclature, this dual approach responds to the realities of our historical and political circumstances, which cannot be wished away. The strategy of Enlightened Moderation, at the global and Muslim world level, will also help to end extremism. Domestically, religious bigotry, hate campaigns and confrontational tendencies have to be curbed. This has to be done through bold, determined, well thought out and indigenously applicable strategies. The misuse of religion to spread militancy, hatred and violence has to be suppressed. An international discourse as well as national debate in affected societies, on religious harmony must be initiated.
In the Muslim world, I feel we need to initiate a serious discourse to promote an understanding of the true Islam. We must then project its real essence to the world.
I would like to say with pride that today Pakistan is perhaps the only country which is actively confronting and addressing the issue of terrorism and extremism through well-considered and comprehensive separate strategies. The results are already visible on the ground. We are determined to persist with and sustain this effort until we gain complete ascendancy over the terrorist and extremist segments with our national fabric.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would be remiss if, while addressing the American Jewish Congress, I did not express my views on the Israeli-Palestinian problem. I do not have an iota of doubt that this lies at the heart of terrorism in the Middle East and beyond. In view of its global impact, it is incumbent on the international community–especially the West and the US–to ensure a peaceful resolution of the dispute. Both parties involved—the Israelis and the Palestinians—must shun confrontation and pursue peace and reconciliation.
Israel rightly desired security. This will remain incomplete until the creation of an independent and viable Palestinian state is assured. Israel must come to terms with geopolitical realities and allow justice to prevail for the Palestinians. The Palestinians’ desire for freedom and nationhood is as intense as that of any other people. They want their own independent state.
We see hope in recent events. We have welcomed the Israeli decision to pull out of Gaza. The peace process, as set out in the “Road Map”, must be pursued as agreed. We hope Israel will also soon withdraw from the West Bank. This will set the stage for the establishment of the independent state in Palestine. By respecting Palestinian aspirations, Israel will attain its legitimate desire for assured security. I am convinced that peace in Palestine that does justice to both the Israelis and the Palestinians will bring to a close the sad chapter in the history of the Middle East. It will revive the historical ties between Islam and Judaism. It will extinguish the anger and frustration that motivates resort to violence and extremism. What better signal for peace could there be than the opening of embassies in Israel by Islamic countries like Pakistan?
There will remain the difficult “final status” issues to be resolved. None is more sensitive than the fate of the Holy City of Jerusalem (which we call Al-Quds al-Sharif). It is a city that is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims. It was the first Qibla of Islam. The first edict of Caliph Omar when he entered Jerusalem, over fourteen centuries ago, was to annul the five hundred years of exile of the Jewish people. He invited them to return and build their homes in the Holy City. For durable peace and harmony between Israelis and Palestinians—indeed between Israel and the Muslim world—it is such a gesture of reconciliation and realism that is required of Israel. Any final settlement should respect the international character of Jerusalem as well as international law and the resolutions of the Security Council.
I have always believed that the courage required to compromise and reconcile is far greater than that required to confront. I appeal to Israel to show that courage. I appeal to the American Jewish Congress, and the entire Jewish Community, to use their considerable influence to put an end to the Palestinian dispute once and for all and to usher in a period of peace and tranquility in the Middle East and perhaps the whole world. Failure is no longer an option.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me conclude with a word about the prospects of Pakistan’s relations with Israel. Pakistan has no direct conflict or dispute with Israel. We pose no threat to Israel’s security. We trust that Israel poses no threat to Pakistan’s national security. But, our people have a deep sense of sympathy for the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspirations for statehood. In response to the bold step taken by Prime Minister Sharon to withdraw from Gaza, Pakistan decided to initiate an official contact with Israel. Our Foreign Ministers met in Istanbul through the good offices of our Turkish friends. As the peace process progresses towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, we will take further steps towards normalization and cooperation, looking to full diplomatic relations.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we can remain mired in old prejudices and keep the world hostage to the politics of perennially defining and redefining of enemy, or we can move forward with courage and reach out to work for the rebirth of history and a new future of peace, harmony, mutual respect, dignity and shared prosperity. We can lose this opportunity to narrow vision and a failure to see humanity in each other.
The responsibility to make the right choice is in our hands.”
