Malaysia amb. to US summoned by State Department over country's Israel policy

The US State Department summoned Malaysia's ambassador to explain Kuala Lumpur's position on Israel, after an incident involving an individual with dual US-Israeli citizenship entered Malaysia. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan stated that Ambassador Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob informed the US State Department that Malaysia's policy of not recognizing Israel is long-standing and unchanged.

"It has always been Malaysia's policy. Our immigration policy does not recognise the State of Israel or the Zionist regime. This has long been our position," Mohamad was cited as saying. He explained that an individual with dual US and Israeli citizenship entered Malaysia using their US passport but was later identified as also holding Israeli citizenship, leading to their departure from the country.

The diplomatic friction was reportedly triggered by allegations that a "digital nomad" community called Network School, founded in Malaysia by US investor Balaji Srinivasan, included participants from Israel. Malaysia, which has no diplomatic ties with Israel, is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause. An immigration probe into the Network School found all participants had valid travel documents, but the community was subsequently shut down by authorities.

In response to the situation, eight US congressmen sent a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They expressed outrage over Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's reported plan to track down and deport any Israelis found in Malaysia. The congressmen urged the State Department to review US security and economic ties with Malaysia and called for a halt to funding for the International Military Education and Training program unless the decision is reversed within 15 days.

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It has always been Malaysia's policy. Our immigration policy does not recognise the State of Israel or the Zionist regime. This has long been our position.