‘Except Israel’ excluded from passport, but no change in diplomatic stance

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said that “Except Israel” seal has been dropped to make e-passport standard. However, Bangladesh is not establishing any diplomatic relations with Israel.

He said, “We are yet to recognize them (Israel) … our position towards Israel has not been changed.”

The Minister told this to risingbd over mobile phone on Sunday (May 23) noon.

Momen said removing those words regarding Israel from the passport “doesn’t mean we have changed our position towards Israel. We are still at our previous stand (not recognizing Israel)”.

Referring to the home minister, the foreign minister said, the changes in the new passport have been made to maintain global standards as no passport in the world contains such words.

The foreign minister said the national passport carries the identity of a country’s citizens, not reflects the foreign policy of that nation.