Bangladesh has reintroduced the phrase “except Israel” on its passports, effectively barring its citizens from traveling to Israel. This decision comes nearly four years after the phrase was removed in 2021 and follows mounting public anger over Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza.
The Home Ministry issued a directive earlier this month, instructing the Director General of the Department of Immigration and Passports to implement the change. The phrase, which had previously appeared on Bangladeshi passports, had been removed in an effort to align with international passport standards, though the government had emphasized that Bangladesh’s stance on Israel remained unchanged.
Also Read: Gaza’s Last Hospital in City Center Hit by Israeli Airstrike
The move to reinstate the clause was announced just a day after mass protests erupted in Dhaka. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in solidarity with Palestinians, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free, Free Palestine,” in response to Israel’s continued military operations in Gaza.
This development highlights the strong anti-Israel sentiment among many Bangladeshis, as well as the country’s ongoing support for Palestine amidst the ongoing conflict.
