SEVERAL quarters have been testing the waters over the years to gauge the public reaction to possible ties between Pakistan and Israel. These attempts include the famous handshake between late military ruler Pervez Musharraf and Israeli leader Ariel Sharon at the UN in 2005, to much more recent visits to Israel by foreign NGO-led delegations that have included Pakistanis from different walks of life. But in the latest development, five Pakistanis hailing from Sindh`s Mirpurkhas town have been nabbed by the authorities for working `illegally` in the Jewish state, with which this country does not have diplomatic relations. The state got wind of their visits after wire transfers by the men, that originated in Israel and were destined for Mirpurkhas, were detected. As per reports, the men had menial jobs in Israel, while some accounts say the individuals had family members settled in the Jewish state. Cases have been filed against the men for travel and `illegal immigration` to a country not recognised by Pakistan.

The Pakistani passport says that the document is valid for all countries of the world except Israel, and travelling to a country for which the document is not valid is a violation of the Passport Act of 1974. However, more clarity is needed to determine if the individuals concerned actually had their Pakistani passports stamped by the Israeli authorities, or if they had used alternative documents to enter that country. The debate on recognition should also continue, particularly in parliament, so that decisions are taken in the national interest. Right now, the Foreign Office says there is no change in Pakistan`s policy towards Israel, and that this country `steadfastly supports the Palestinian people`s right to self-determination`. Morally, this is the correct position, for while some of our Muslim friends may already have embraced Tel Aviv, Pakistan should only consider the establishment of relations with Israel if a negotiated settlement is achieved to settle the Palestine question.