DHAKA – Bangladesh has officially revised its passport policy by restoring the phrase stating that Bangladeshi Passports are “valid for all countries except Israel,” according to local media reports.
Officials confirmed that the wording has once again been added to ordinary Bangladeshi passports. The statement had previously been removed in 2020 during the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Speaking to reporters, the country’s interior minister stated that the phrase “except Israel” would now be reintroduced for general passport holders. He added that diplomatic passports in Bangladesh were already following the same policy practice.
According to officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Immigration and Passports, the latest decision reflects Bangladesh’s long-standing foreign policy position regarding the Palestine issue.
Authorities said the move also aligns with public opinion and the country’s stated moral and diplomatic stance on the matter.
Officials explained that the decision was taken as part of Bangladesh’s established policy framework and does not represent a new shift in foreign policy. Instead, they described it as a restoration of wording that had historically existed on Bangladeshi passports for many years.
The development has attracted attention internationally because the phrase had remained absent from passports since its removal several years ago. Bangladesh does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, and its official stance has traditionally supported Palestinian rights and statehood.
The government’s decision to restore the restriction wording on passports has generated discussion in political and diplomatic circles both inside and outside Bangladesh.
Officials have not announced when newly printed passports carrying the restored wording will begin full distribution, but authorities indicated that the policy change is now being formally implemented through the immigration and passport system. The move is being viewed as part of Bangladesh’s continued support for its long-held diplomatic position on the Palestine issue and regional matters involving Israel.
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