ISLAMABAD: Inviting the ire of X users, a condolence tweet by former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on the passing of his mother-in-law Annabel Goldsmith has drawn significant attention online.
Social media users have criticized Khan for expressing grief over the death of his mother-in-law — who is said to have belonged to a family reportedly influential in Jewish circles — while remaining silent on Israel’s aggression and the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. Critics argue that his prompt condolence message stands in stark contrast to his lack of condemnation of the violence in Palestine.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ex-wife Jemima’s brother, Zac Goldsmith, has sparked further anger among those expressing solidarity with oppressed Palestinians through his response.
One X user said that the one who calls himself a companion of the great display — the martyrs of Palestine did not move his eyes, yet he pours out thousands of affections over his mother-in-law. This is not sorrow — it is pure hypocrisy.
He said that people can recognize false emotions, adding that such selective sympathy is not acceptable.
“He who calls himself a champion of human rights — remains silent over the oppressed of Palestine, but grieves at the death of his mother-in-law. This is a selective, self-serving sympathy — not humanity. True leadership is when one consistently speaks against oppression, not only when there is personal loss or gain. This hypocrisy hurts the people, and history will not forgive it.”
Another wrote, “Even in his condolences letter, it’s all about himself and how he is locked up in prison.”
https://x.com/khayazahmed/status/1980735749453672617?t=qmc11SbDE3c9R2UKrFh0GQ&s=19
Another user said, “He has every right to mourn her, but the hypocrisy is clear. The man who called opponents “Yahudi agents” now calls a Jewish woman his “mother figure.” Not a single word on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Yet he mourns his ex-wife’s mother — selective morality at its finest.”
One tweep wrote, “Just remember this: this account remained silent on the martyrdom of Palestinians, but wrote such a long condolence tweet for a Jewish woman.
Dr. Israr and Hakim Saeed were not wrong.”
Abu Bakar Khan, a disgruntled supporter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who became popular after giving a ring as a gift to Imran Khan, has also criticized the party’s founder.
He wrote, “Imran Khan’s silence on Palestine speaks louder than his hollow tributes to Lady Annabel Goldsmith. He rushes to grieve for a British socialite but has no voice for the children buried under Gaza’s rubble. The man who once claimed to lead the “Ummah” now bows before the same Western elite he pretended to resist.”
Zac Goldsmith, brother of Khan’s ex-wife, had replied to a tweet posted by Imran Khan. He wrote, “She adored and respected you so much @ImranKhanPTI .We are all praying for you.”
Zac Goldsmith’s connection with Israel has often sparked public debate, largely because of his political positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Zac has been an outspoken supporter of Israel and a critic of certain Palestinian policies, including proposals to ban products from Israeli settlements. These views have attracted both praise and backlash, with detractors accusing him of being biased.
Goldsmith has consistently defended Israel’s right to exist and opposed what he perceives as anti-Israel sentiment. While he has expressed support for a two-state solution, he has also criticized specific Palestinian actions and initiatives, such as the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
He is widely seen as holding firmly pro-Israel views in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, often without giving sufficient attention to the hardships faced by Palestinians.
After Goldsmith’s response to Khan’s tweet, many Twitter users reacted with greater outrage, accusing Imran Khan of having ties to the anti-Palestine lobby.
A journalist Wajahat Kazmi said, “Praying for Imran Khan and Israel. It is pretty clear who is directly related to this hideous lobby. Where are all those who were terming others as pro Israel but now gone silent? Hypocrites!”
Another tweep said, “Zac ran a dog whistle campaign against Sadiq Khan and is a vociferous supporter of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”
“So you don’t hate Muslim foreigners if they are related to you Zac, just the regular brownies and the Palestinians whose genocide you support,” said another.
“What times have come that a pro Israeli is praying for you how will these people defend this now, now you all understand why @ImranKhanPTI not condemning Isreal genocide on Gaza,” said Leezy.
https://x.com/fishinthesea_11/status/1980705308583612655?t=Ah8QnL_Q-Vts9r-7HlWC0Q&s=19
Imran Khan’s condolence tweet has received 0.52 million views and 15600 likes till the filing of this news.
