Ishaq Dar, Hakan Fidan Back Action Against Israeli Settlements
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan have reaffirmed their countries’ shared position on Palestine and backed international measures targeting trade and services linked to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
The two foreign ministers spoke by telephone late Wednesday, reviewing bilateral relations, regional developments and issues of mutual interest, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said on Thursday.
Their conversation came amid growing international pressure over Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and new British measures restricting economic links with settlements.
Dar, Fidan Reaffirm Shared Palestine Position
According to the Foreign Office, Dar and Fidan reaffirmed their “shared position on Palestine” during the call.
Both ministers supported a joint statement issued by eight Arab and Islamic countries welcoming Britain’s decision to ban imports from Israeli settlements and restrict services linked to them.
The countries behind that statement are Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The eight foreign ministers said Britain’s measures could encourage the wider international community to take similar action and hold organisations and individuals involved in settlement activities accountable.
Pakistan, Türkiye Support UK Settlement Measures
Britain announced this week that it would ban imports of goods originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and impose restrictions on certain services connected with settlements.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said London needed to move beyond simply criticising settlement expansion and take practical action. The British government argues that continuing settlement expansion undermines prospects for a viable two-state solution.
Dar and Fidan backed the restrictions during their telephone conversation, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
The two ministers also reiterated support for a separate Joint Statement on the Two-State Solution issued by Britain and other European countries.
Eight Muslim Nations Seek Wider International Action
The Dar-Fidan conversation follows coordinated diplomatic action by several Muslim-majority countries.
Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE said the international community should build on Britain’s measures and take concrete steps against activities that support or sustain Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
The countries linked their position to international law, relevant UN resolutions — including UN Security Council Resolution 2334 — and the International Court of Justice’s July 2024 advisory opinion.
The ICJ concluded in that advisory opinion that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the associated regime, were being maintained in violation of international law.
Israel rejects key aspects of the international legal and political characterisation of the territory and has opposed measures targeting settlements.
Two-State Solution Remains Central
Pakistan and Türkiye reiterated support for a negotiated political settlement based on the two-state solution.
The broader eight-country statement called for an independent, sovereign, contiguous and viable Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that a lasting Middle East peace requires resolution of the Palestinian issue and Palestinian self-determination.
Türkiye has similarly been a vocal supporter of Palestinian statehood and has repeatedly criticised Israeli settlement expansion.
UK Action Adds Pressure Over West Bank Settlements
Britain’s decision represents a significant change because it goes beyond diplomatic criticism and introduces economic restrictions directly linked to settlements.
The measures cover imports from settlements and certain associated services, including areas such as financing and advertising.
Egypt and Jordan have separately welcomed the British measures, calling for broader international action to protect prospects for a two-state solution.
The coordinated response suggests settlement activity is becoming an increasingly important focus of international diplomatic pressure.
Dar, Fidan Discuss Regional Developments
The telephone call was not limited to Palestine.
Dar and Fidan also reviewed Pakistan-Türkiye bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional developments and matters of mutual interest.
The Foreign Office said they emphasised the importance of maintaining close consultations on regional affairs.
That includes coordination through the Regional Four (R4) framework involving Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The framework provides another channel through which the four countries can consult on regional diplomatic and security developments.
Dar and Fidan to Meet at UN General Assembly
The two foreign ministers also agreed to meet on the sidelines of the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York.
That meeting could provide an opportunity for Islamabad and Ankara to coordinate further on Palestine and other regional issues.
The UN gathering will come as international diplomatic attention remains focused on the occupied West Bank, Gaza and efforts to preserve the possibility of a two-state settlement.
Pakistan and Türkiye Maintain Close Coordination
Dar and Fidan have maintained regular contact on bilateral and regional matters.
Earlier this month, they discussed follow-up work related to understandings reached under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, including ways of advancing cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye.
The latest call demonstrates that Palestine remains another major area of coordination between Islamabad and Ankara.
The key development is that Pakistan and Türkiye have aligned themselves with the growing international push for practical measures against economic activity linked to Israeli settlements, while continuing to advocate a two-state solution and an independent Palestinian state.
