Malaysia says US summoned envoy over Israel policy amid 'digital nomad' row

Malaysia's ambassador to the United States was summoned by the U.S. State Department to explain Kuala Lumpur's stance on Israel, according to Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan. The ambassador, Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, reportedly informed U.S. officials that Malaysia's policy of not recognizing Israel is a long-standing position and not a new development.

"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. The situation escalated after an individual with dual U.S. and Israeli citizenship entered Malaysia using a U.S. passport. Subsequent checks revealed the individual also held Israeli citizenship, prompting Malaysian authorities to ask them to leave the country.

“

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.

The diplomatic exchange was triggered by scrutiny of Network School, a community founded by U.S. investor Balaji Srinivasan. Social media users alleged that the group included participants from Israel, a nation with which Malaysia has no diplomatic ties and is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause. Although an immigration probe found all participants had valid travel documents, the Network School was eventually shut down by Malaysian authorities.

In response to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's plan to track and deport any Israelis found in Malaysia, eight U.S. congressmen sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They expressed outrage and urged the State Department to review U.S. security and economic ties with Malaysia, including a call to cut funding for a military training program unless the decision is reversed within 15 days.

“

There was an individual with dual citizenship, the US and Israel, who entered Malaysia using his US passport. However, subsequent checks revealed that he also held Israeli citizenship, and we asked him to leave.