Malaysia Rejects US Pressure Over Long-Standing Ban on Israeli Passport Holders
Malaysia has defended its long-standing policy restricting Israeli passport holders from entering the country after several US lawmakers urged Washington to reconsider ties with Kuala Lumpur.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said any Israeli nationals found entering Malaysia in violation of immigration rules would be deported. Authorities are investigating reports that some individuals may have used second passports to bypass restrictions.
Anwar stressed that Malaysia’s policy is based on citizenship and foreign policy, not religion or ethnicity. He said the country’s position reflects decades of support for Palestinian self-determination and opposition to recognising Israel.
Malaysian officials rejected threats to suspend cooperation programmes, saying immigration decisions are a sovereign matter. They argued that every country has the right to determine who can enter its territory.
The dispute has raised broader questions about national sovereignty, diplomatic pressure and differing approaches to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
