Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued strikingly similar statements after the reported attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, despite their countries having no diplomatic relations.
Sharif posted his message at 7:33 AM on October 11, while Netanyahu shared his statement later that day at 6:58 PM. Both condemned the attack, expressed condolences to victims’ families and called for regional security.
Sharif described the incident as a heinous Houthi attack and said violence against civilians and critical infrastructure threatened regional stability and violated international law. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security, citing the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Netanyahu condemned what he called a terrorist attack, saying terrorism spreads fear and instability. He called for a Middle East that stands united against threats and works towards security, cooperation and prosperity.
The overlap is notable given the absence of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Israel. Both leaders emphasized civilian protection and regional stability, although Sharif focused on Pakistan’s security commitment to Saudi Arabia while Netanyahu made a broader appeal for regional cooperation.
The similarity does not prove coordination between the two governments. However, their statements share a clear theme: attacks on civilians are unacceptable, and regional security must be protected.
