Bangladesh has reinstated the phrase "valid for all countries except Israel" on its passports, effectively reaffirming its longstanding travel ban to the country, local media reported Sunday.
The decision marks a reversal of a 2021 move under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration, which had removed the inscription. At the time, the government insisted that the country’s foreign policy stance remained unchanged despite the removal.
Deputy Secretary at the Home Ministry, Nilima Afroze, confirmed to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) that a directive was issued last week instructing immigration authorities to restore the text. The Daily Star reported that the director general of the Department of Immigration and Passport has been tasked with implementing the change.
Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation, does not recognize Israel and has consistently supported Palestinian statehood. On Saturday, approximately 100,000 people gathered in Dhaka in solidarity with Gaza.
The renewed focus on the issue comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, which erupted following Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel. According to official Israeli figures, 1,218 people were killed in the initial attack. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry reports over 50,000 deaths, including at least 1,574 since a recent breakdown of a fragile ceasefire.
The decision marks a reversal of a 2021 move under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration, which had removed the inscription. At the time, the government insisted that the country’s foreign policy stance remained unchanged despite the removal.
Deputy Secretary at the Home Ministry, Nilima Afroze, confirmed to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) that a directive was issued last week instructing immigration authorities to restore the text. The Daily Star reported that the director general of the Department of Immigration and Passport has been tasked with implementing the change.
Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation, does not recognize Israel and has consistently supported Palestinian statehood. On Saturday, approximately 100,000 people gathered in Dhaka in solidarity with Gaza.
The renewed focus on the issue comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, which erupted following Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel. According to official Israeli figures, 1,218 people were killed in the initial attack. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry reports over 50,000 deaths, including at least 1,574 since a recent breakdown of a fragile ceasefire.
