Bangladesh restores ‘except for Israel' policy on passports
Bangladesh has restored the phrase 'valid for all countries of the world except Israel,' on its passports, state media reported, reaffirming a travel ban to the Middle Eastern country.
The 'except Israel' inscription from passports was removed in 2021, under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
However, Bangladeshi citizens have been banned from traveling to Israel for decades.
At the time, Hasina said that Bangladesh's stance on Israel had not changed and that the move aimed to help the country's passports abide by international standards.
Nearly 100,000 people took part in a demonstration titled March for Gaza during a rally in Dhaka on Saturday, displaying Bangladesh's support for an independent Palestinian state.
The reinstatement directive was issued on April 7, Bangladesh's Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency reported Monday, citing Deputy Secretary at the Home Ministry Nilima Afroze.
The passports of some additional countries not valid for travel to Israel include Brunei, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan.
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