Bangladesh Reinstates “Except Israel” Clause on Passports Amid Gaza Outcry
Key Developments:
- Policy Reversal: Bangladesh has reintroduced the “valid for all countries except Israel” inscription on passports, reversing a 2021 decision to remove it.
- Public Pressure: The move follows mass protests in Dhaka (April 12, 2025), where 100,000+ demonstrators condemned Israel’s Gaza offensive and demanded stronger pro-Palestine policies.
- Official Directive: The Home Ministry ordered the Department of Immigration and Passports on April 7 to restore the clause, reaffirming Bangladesh’s longstanding ban on travel to Israel.
Background & Context:
- Historical Stance: Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation, has never recognized Israel and maintains no diplomatic ties with the country.
- 2021 Removal: The previous government, under Sheikh Hasina, dropped the clause to align passports with international standards, though the Israel travel ban remained.
- Gaza War Impact: Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign has killed over 50,000 (per Gaza health officials), fueling global Muslim outrage, including in Bangladesh.
Political & Public Reaction:
- Protest Momentum: Demonstrators in Dhaka waved Palestinian flags, burned effigies of Netanyahu & Trump, and chanted “Free Palestine.”
- Opposition Backing: The BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) and Islamic groups supported the protests, urging tougher action against Israel.
- Government Shift: The reinstatement signals a yield to public pressure, reinforcing Bangladesh’s pro-Palestine foreign policy.
Why This Matters:
- Symbolic Diplomacy: The passport clause is a political statement, reflecting Bangladesh’s solidarity with Palestine amid the Gaza crisis.
- Domestic Sentiment: With rising anti-Israel anger, the government faces pressure to take a harder stance, including potential economic boycotts or UN resolutions.
- Global Trend: Bangladesh joins other Muslim nations (e.g., Malaysia, Indonesia) in rejecting normalization with Israel over the Gaza war.
Bangladesh’s passport policy reversal underscores growing domestic and Islamic world backlash against Israel’s Gaza offensive. While symbolic, the move signals Dhaka’s unwavering pro-Palestine stance and responsiveness to public outrage. As the conflict escalates, further diplomatic measures—such as aid for Gaza or boycott campaigns—could follow, deepening Bangladesh’s isolation of Israel on the global stage.
