DHAKA: Bangladesh has restored an `except Israel` inscription on passports, media reported on Sunday, effectively barring its citizens from travelling to that country.
Israel is a flashpoint issue in Bangladesh, which does not recognise it.
The phrase `valid for all countries except Israel`, which was printed on Bangladeshi passports for decades, was removed during the later years of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina`s tenure.
An official at the home ministry toldBangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency on Sunday that authorities had `issued a directive last week` to restore the inscription.
`The director general of the department of immigration and passport was asked to take necessary measures to implement this change, the Daily Star quoted the official as saying.
In 2021, the words `except Israel` were removed from passports, although the then government under Hasina clarified that the country`s stance on Israel had not changed.
