Israel Ban Returns as Bangladesh Reverts to Previous Passport Policy
- Update Time : 11:55:24 am, Sunday, 13 April 2025
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The phrase “Except Israel” has been reinstated in Bangladeshi passports, according to a directive signed by Deputy Secretary Nilima Afroze of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The order instructed the Department of Immigration and Passports to take necessary steps to restore the previous wording that excluded Israel. Previously, Bangladeshi passports stated, “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel,” meaning holders could travel anywhere except Israel. However, in 2020, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the government introduced new e-passports that omitted the phrase “except Israel” without any formal announcement. Recently, during the “March for Gaza” event held at Suhrawardy Udyan in protest of Israeli actions in Gaza, speakers demanded the return of the “except Israel” clause and called for the cancellation of any agreements with Israel. The declaration emphasized that Bangladesh should reaffirm its stance of not recognizing Israel as a state and make that position more explicit.
