Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has categorically rebuked labeling of labeling of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s remarks as ‘anti-Semite’.
In a statement, FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri has denounced interpretation of FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s remarks as ‘anti-Semitic’ by CNN.
Remarks by FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi during his CNN interview can’t be construed as anti-Semitic by any stretch of imagination, said Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri.
Remarks by FM @SMQureshiPTI during his CNN interview can’t be construed as anti-Semitic by any stretch of imagination. Any twist given to his remarks would unfortunately prove the very point he was making.The right to #freedomofexpression must be respected equally by everyone
— Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri (@Zhchaudhri) May 21, 2021
Furthermore, FO spokesperson accentuated that any twist given to his remarks would unfortunately prove the very point he was making. The right to freedom of expression must be respected equally by everyone.
The development comes as earlier, FM Qureshi spoke to CNN’s Bianna Golodryga, and said that the pressure of public opinion is mounting, and ceasefire is inevitable. Israel is losing out.
Citing Israel’s ‘connections’ and ‘deep pockets’, the foreign minister highlighted that Israel is losing the media war despite their connections, they are losing the media war.
However, host Bianna Golodryga and CNN nefariously termed Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s statement as an ‘anti-Semitic slur’.
CNN’s intentional labeling of FM Qureshi’s remarks as anti-Semitic is being widely criticized by netizens on social media.
Where's the lie? Condemning isis is not islamophobia just like condemning Israel is not antisemitism. https://t.co/7Bz0Oq5y5o
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) May 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/MHuzaifaNizam/status/1395486553150005249
Equating criticism of Israel with anti-semitism is old strategy of Zionists to muzzle critique of the apartheid regime.
Israel has incredible influence over west & media. Censorship by social media firms & biased coverage in Israel's favour over past 2 weeks only reinforce that. https://t.co/WWQnMQOLZJ
— Musa Virk (@MusaNV18) May 20, 2021
There is nothing nothing Anti-Semitic about it. Looks like CNN took this remarks to heart. Love it tho. Int media deserves a reality check when they lecture everyone on freedom & then play as puppet in hands of Israel. #CNNExposed #CNN #Media #FreePalestine #ShahMehmoodQureshi https://t.co/UG594TyB1K
— Fahad Qureshi (@iamFahadqureshi) May 21, 2021
I think Shah Mahmood did quite well on the CNN interview. It's tough dealing with Israeli Defence Ministry spokespeople disguised as American journalists but he handled it almost perfect.
— Ali Warsi (@thealiwarsi) May 20, 2021
The main issue with the SMQ controversy is that we are now debating whether his comments were anti-Semitic or not because they were very sloppily phrased when we really should be discussing Israeli war crimes. His fail & CNN’s fail both if you ask me.
— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) May 21, 2021
Important points made by @UzairYounus. While pointing out the Israeli state’s huge influence over most of the US & Western European media is not anti-Semitic, phrasing it in this way could be misconstrued & manipulated. Words must be chosen carefully especially by govt reps. https://t.co/E8VxxM6tcM
— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) May 21, 2021
It is to be noted that FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi is in New York o attend the UN General Assembly Session on Palestine as part of Pakistan’s extensive diplomatic outreach to mobilize international support for the Palestinians.
