‘Except Israel’ inscription reappears in passports

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh has reintroduced the phrase “Except Israel” in passports, effectively reaffirming the travel restriction for Bangladeshi citizens to Israel.

The Home Ministry issued a directive on April 7, instructing the Passport and Immigration Department to reinstate the inscription: “THIS PASSPORT IS VALID FOR ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD EXCEPT ISRAEL” in official travel documents for citizens intending to travel abroad.

This decision reverses a move made in 2021, during the Awami League-led government, when the phrase was removed from passports.

At the time, authorities explained that the removal was part of efforts to align the country’s travel documents with international standards.

However, they emphasised that the change did not alter Bangladesh’s long-standing policy of barring citizens from travelling to Israel.

The reintroduction of this inscription reaffirms Bangladesh’s policy stance, which has remained consistent despite changes in passport regulations.