RAMALLAH, April 14, 2025 (WAFA) – Bangladesh's interim government has reinstated the phrase "except Israel" on passports, effectively banning its citizens from traveling to Israel.
Under the new circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday, the phrase "This passport is valid for all countries except Israel" has been reinstated.
Local media reported that the decision was taken after the "Free Palestine" demonstration held in the capital, Dhaka, several days ago, with the participation of more than 100,000 people to denounce the Israeli massacres in the Gaza Strip.
Home Ministry official Nilima Afroz told the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha news agency that authorities "issued a directive last week" to reprint this phrase on passports.
"The Director General of Immigration and Passports has been asked to take necessary steps to implement this change," Afroz was quoted as saying by the local newspaper, The Daily Star, on Sunday.
It is noteworthy that the phrase "except Israel" was removed from Bangladeshi passports in May 2021 during the presidency of Sheikh Hasina Wajed (2009-2024), while the government at the time, led by Hasina, made it clear that the country's position towards Israel had not changed.
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