Malaysian Ambassador to the United States (US), Datuk Seri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, has been summoned by the US State Department to provide an explanation on Malaysia's stance on Israel.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the Malaysian ambassador explained that the country's policy of not recognising Israel is not new, but has long been Malaysia's official stance. The country's immigration policy also does not recognise Israel or the Zionist regime.
According to him, an individual with dual citizenship, namely the US and Israel, entered Malaysia using a US passport. Further investigation later found that the individual also had Israeli citizenship before being ordered to leave Malaysia.
The issue arose after Network School, a digital nomad community founded by American entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan in Forest City, Johor, allegedly accepted Israeli citizens.
An investigation by the Immigration Department found that all participants had valid travel documents, but the premises were later ordered to cease operations after the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) revoked its business license for violating the licensing and use conditions of the premises.
Following this, eight members of the US Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging Washington to review its security and economic ties with Malaysia.
They also proposed that funding for the International Military Education and Training (IMET) Program be suspended if Malaysia's stance on Israelis is not changed within 15 days.
Malaysia has no diplomatic relations with Israel and remains committed to its long-standing policy of supporting the Palestinian cause and not recognizing the state of Israel.
