MALAYSIA VOWS TO MAINTAIN BAN ON ISRAELI CITIZENS DESPITE U.S. PRESSURE
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed that his government will not reverse its long-standing policy barring Israeli citizens from entering Malaysia, despite calls from some members of the U.S. Congress urging President Donald Trump to exert stronger pressure on Kuala Lumpur.
Speaking on the issue, Anwar said Malaysia remains committed to its principles of supporting Palestinian rights and opposing what it described as Israel’s continued aggression, oppression, and military campaign in Gaza. He stressed that Malaysia does not recognize the State of Israel and will continue to uphold its foreign policy based on those principles.
Malaysia has long prohibited holders of Israeli passports from entering the country. However, reports emerged this week claiming that several Israeli nationals had entered Malaysia by traveling on passports issued by other countries, as many Israeli citizens also possess dual citizenship, including passports from Western nations.
Responding to the reports, Prime Minister Anwar announced that Malaysian authorities had launched an investigation into the matter. He said anyone identified as an Israeli citizen who entered the country using another country’s passport would be deported immediately.
According to Malaysian officials, authorities have already identified one individual who holds both Israeli and U.S. citizenship and entered Malaysia using an American passport. The government subsequently ordered the individual to leave the country without delay.
The developments have drawn criticism from several members of the U.S. Congress, who called on the Trump administration to pressure Malaysia into changing its policy toward Israeli citizens.
In response, Prime Minister Anwar firmly rejected the calls, declaring that Malaysia is a sovereign and independent nation with the right to determine its own immigration and foreign policies. He vowed that his government would not back down and that Malaysia’s position on Israeli citizens and its support for the Palestinian cause would remain unchanged.