Nairobi: Bangladesh has ordered immigration authorities to restore the phrase "except for Israel" on the country's passports, reversing a change made under the government of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2020. A Home Ministry order issued Sunday stated that the phrase "THIS PASSPORT IS VALID FOR ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD EXCEPT ISRAEL" will once again appear in Bangladeshi e-passports.

According to Anadolu Agency, Bangladesh does not recognize Israel and has never had diplomatic relations with it. The ministry emphasized that the decision aligns with Bangladesh's foreign policy, public opinion, and the country's long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.

The order further instructed authorities to add watermarks honoring key figures who were killed during the July-August 2024 monsoon uprising, which inspired thousands to overthrow Hasina's 15-year rule. The United Nations reported about 1,400 deaths and thousands of injuries during the uprising. Since August 5, Hasina has been living in exile in India.

Additionally, the order mentioned that images and watermarks in the e-passport booklet had been revised, removing some imagery related to Bangladesh's founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.