US Summons Malaysia’s Ambassador to Explain Government’s Israel Policy
Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States was summoned by the U.S. State Department to explain Kuala Lumpur’s policy toward Israel, according to Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan.
The ambassador told U.S. officials that Malaysia’s refusal to recognize Israel is a longstanding policy and that its immigration rules do not recognize Israeli citizenship.
The diplomatic exchange followed an incident involving a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen who entered Malaysia using a U.S. passport. Malaysian authorities later discovered the individual also held Israeli citizenship and asked the person to leave the country.
The issue gained attention after Network School, a digital nomad community founded by U.S. investor Balaji Srinivasan, faced allegations that it included Israeli participants. Although an immigration investigation found participants had valid travel documents, Malaysian authorities later shut down the program.
The dispute intensified after eight U.S. lawmakers urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review security and economic ties with Malaysia and reconsider military training assistance unless Malaysia reversed its position on Israeli citizens.
