Bangladesh reinstates Israel travel ban on passports 

Move follows growing anger over Israeli actions in Gaza, with protesters demanding action against war crimes

DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh has reinstated the “except Israel” clause on its passports, following widespread public outrage over Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. 

The directive was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on April 7, but the government’s decision to restore the travel restriction was publicly disclosed only after a massive protest in Dhaka on April 12.

The Home Ministry instructed the Department of Immigration and Passports to reintroduce the inscription “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel” on all official travel documents. 

This clause had been removed in 2021 by the government of now-deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing the need to align Bangladesh’s passport with international standards. 

The public outcry reached its peak on April 12, when thousands of protesters took to the streets of Dhaka to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza. 

The rally, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh, saw demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans like “Free, Free Palestine.” 

Protesters gathered near Dhaka University, where they called for the reinstatement of the “except Israel” clause and for Bangladesh to sever all ties with the Zionist regime.

Speakers at the rally condemned the Israeli government’s actions as part of an ongoing campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people. 

Protesters also held symbolic demonstrations, beating images of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing them of enabling Israeli war crimes.

Opposition parties and Islamic groups, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, expressed solidarity with the rally, demanding that the government take a stronger stance against Israel’s crimes.