Former Bangladesh Foreign Minister Regrets Removal of 'Except Israel' Clause from Passports

Former Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has expressed regret over the removal of the 'except Israel' clause from Bangladeshi passports in 2021. This decision, made without consulting the Foreign Ministry, has sparked significant public outcry and controversy.

Why this matters: The removal of the 'except Israel' clause from Bangladeshi passports has significant implications for international relations and diplomacy, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This decision could have far-reaching consequences for Bangladesh's relationships with other Muslim-majority countries and its stance on the conflict.

The clause, which previously stated 'This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel,' was removed from new e-passports issued in March 2021. Momen, who served as Foreign Minister from 2019 to 2023, revealed that neither he nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were informed about the decision.

Momen questioned the Home Ministry about the rationale behind the move and received an unexpected response. 'I was told that a German firm (which was consulted for the passport facility) did that to improve the quality of the passport and to cut costs,' Momen stated, expressing skepticism about this explanation.

The issue gained international attention when Gilad Cohen, deputy director-general for Asia and the Pacific at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, tweeted in April 2021 that Bangladesh had lifted its travel ban on Israel. Cohen called on the Bangladeshi government to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, a move that Bangladesh vehemently denied.

A Foreign Ministry official, who preferred to remain unnamed, emphasized that the government's position toward Israel remains unchanged. 'The government has always condemned the atrocities inflicted upon civilians living in the occupied territories in Israel by Israeli forces,' the official stated.

Momen reiterated that Bangladesh does not have any commercial relations with Israel and that the ban on travel to Israel for Bangladeshi passport holders remains in place. He stressed the importance of unity among Muslim countries and engaging with the Western world through intensified negotiations to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The removal of the 'except Israel' clause from Bangladeshi passports in 2021 has sparked considerable debate and concern. Despite the change, Bangladesh's position on Israel remains firm, condemning Israeli aggression and supporting a two-state solution with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem being the capital of the State of Palestine.

Key Takeaways

• Former Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen regrets removal of "except Israel" clause from passports.
• The clause was removed in 2021 without consulting the Foreign Ministry.
• Bangladesh's position on Israel remains unchanged, condemning Israeli aggression and supporting a two-state solution.
• The travel ban on Israel for Bangladeshi passport holders remains in place.
• Momen emphasizes unity among Muslim countries to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.