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Bangladesh Restores 'Except Israel' Inscription on Passports, Barring Travel to Israel
Bangladesh restores "valid for all countries except Israel" on passports, effectively barring citizens from traveling to Israel. The move underscores the country's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-14
Bangladesh Restores 'Except Israel' Inscription on Passports, Barring Travel to Israel

Bangladesh has reinstated the phrase "valid for all countries except Israel" on its passports, effectively barring its citizens from traveling to Israel, local media reported on Sunday.

The controversial phrase had been printed on Bangladeshi passports for decades, reflecting the country’s non-recognition of Israel. However, it was removed during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the later years of her rule. Despite the removal of the phrase in 2021, the Bangladeshi government clarified that its position on Israel remained unchanged, with the country continuing to support the Palestinian cause and an independent Palestinian state.

The decision to reinstate the inscription was confirmed by Nilima Afroze, a deputy secretary at the home ministry, who stated that authorities issued a directive last week to bring back the inscription. The directive instructed the immigration and passport department to implement the change.

Bangladesh’s stance on Israel has been a contentious issue for many years. The country, with a Muslim-majority population, has consistently opposed Israel, aligning itself with other nations in support of Palestinian independence. The Gaza conflict, which intensified after Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel, has further fueled anti-Israel sentiments in Bangladesh.

On Saturday, tens of thousands gathered in Dhaka in solidarity with Gaza, marking the country’s ongoing support for Palestine. As of recent reports, the Gaza conflict has claimed more than 50,000 Palestinian lives, while Israel has also reported civilian casualties. A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas fell apart last month, worsening the humanitarian crisis.

The restoration of the "except Israel" inscription underscores Bangladesh's foreign policy on the Israel-Palestine conflict, reflecting its continued support for Palestinian sovereignty and a stance of non-engagement with Israel.

 
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Bangladesh

Israel

Palestine

MiddleEastPolitics

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