Yesterday, Pakistan and Israel announced that their foreign ministers met in Istanbul. The BBC reported today that Islamist reaction in Pakistan to the news was “muted:”

… there was a muted response to MMA calls for widespread protests in cities across the country.

The biggest protest was held in Peshawar, provincial capital of North West Frontier Province led by MMA President Qazi Hussain Ahmed.

Around 200 protestors carrying placards and banners chanted slogans against the US and against the government of President Musharraf, the BBC's Haroon Rashid in Peshawar says.

In Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, there was barely any protest.

Correspondents say that the low response may indicate a larger preoccupation with domestic issues.

Is it true what these “correspondents” say? Could it be that these “correspondents” were expecting – even hoping for – the usual anti-Semitic clamor?

Or could it be either 1) a grudging acceptance of the Jewish state, one which cannot be destroyed militarily or by terrorism, or 2) that Israeli Prime Minister Sharon’s unilateral disengagement from Gaza has deflated anti-Israeli sentiment?

One telling response came from Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, president of the ruling party of Pakistan:

"It's very strange that marriage with Jews is a right but talking to them is wrong."

I will go out on a limb, trying to understand the method in Sharon’s disengagement “madness.” By withdrawing from Gaza, Sharon may be playing the realpolitik game. He can now turn the tables on the international community, saying, “OK. We’ve given you what you’ve been demanding for 38 years. Will you now live up to your commitments?” Thus, he leaves “world opinion” with much less to complain about vis-à-vis Israel.

Yes, I know. The world community will keep harping along the lines that it is never enough. But it will be much harder to criticize Israel – short of demanding the extermination of all Israelis. Of course, another genocide will not happen. Israel is too strong – and it has staunch allies in the Anglosphere, like Britain, the U.S., Australia, and India.