Israel calls on Bangladesh to forge diplomatic ties

Israel has urged the Bangladesh government to establish diplomatic ties for the "benefit and prosper" of the people of the two countries though the South Asian nation is yet to recognize Israel as a country.

Gilad Cohen, Israel Foreign Ministry's deputy director general for Asia and the Pacific, made the call on Sunday as the new Bangladeshi e-passports will declare "This passport is valid for all countries of the world."

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal says they are bringing the changes to ensure that the passports meet the "international standards."

Also Read - Momen: No change in Bangladesh's position over Israel

The new declaration in Bangladesh passports reads "THIS PASSPORT IS VALID FOR ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD" with the elimination of last two words "EXCEPT ISRAEL" in passports issued earlier.

Great news! #Bangladesh has removed travel ban to Israel. This is a welcome step & I call on the Bangladeshi government to move forward and establish diplomatic ties with #Israel so both our peoples could benefit & prosper.@IsraelMFA #IsraelLooksEast https://t.co/LbOLbm9dfG

— Gilad Cohen 🇮🇱 (@GiladCohen_) May 22, 2021

In a tweet, Cohen said: "Great news! Bangladesh has removed travel ban to Israel. This is a welcome step & I call on the Bangladeshi government to move forward and establish diplomatic ties with Israel so both our peoples could benefit & prosper."

Also Read - Dhaka seeks strong global resolve to end Palestinian crisis

Home Minister Kamal told the media that the decision on removal of such restriction was taken for maintaining international standards of granting passports.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said such step does not point out the government's shift from its existing foreign policy. 

Also Read - Bangladesh to drop 'except Israel' from passport

Bangladesh officially rejected the recognition from Israel in 1972 after the independence from Pakistan through Liberation War in 1971.