• Bangladesh reinstates "except Israel" clause on passports.
• The decision follows extensive pro-Palestine protests across the country.
• The clause had been removed in 2021 during Sheikh Hasina's government.
• The move is seen as a response to heightened public anger over the Gaza situation.
• Official documents will now state that passports are valid "for all countries except Israel."

Bangladesh's transitional government has officially reinstated the "except Israel" inscription on passports, thereby barring citizens from traveling to Israel. This decision was made public after widespread pro-Palestine demonstrations across the nation, with the Home Ministry issuing the directive to the Department of Immigration and Passports on April 7, according to Deputy Secretary Nilima Afroze, who confirmed the change to the media. The newly reinstated line reads "THIS PASSPORT IS VALID FOR ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD EXCEPT ISRAEL," reflecting long-standing public sentiment against the Israeli state, according to India Times.

The clause had been removed in 2021 by then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government, aiming to align with international passport standards despite continued public discontent. However, following Hasina’s ousting in August amid protests, the political climate shifted dramatically, amplifying calls for reinstatement. This demand echoed particularly strongly in light of Israel's military actions in Gaza, with reports claiming civilian casualties have approached 51,000, largely comprising women and children, according to TRT Global.

Following the reinstatement announcement, Bangladesh witnessed one of its largest pro-Palestine rallies in history, with hundreds of thousands participating in Dhaka. Protesters vehemently expressed their opposition to Israeli actions and called for the restoration of the "except Israel" clause as a key demand, as noted by both local and international media outlets. The atmosphere of unrest reflects the populace's frustration with their government’s diplomatic posture towards Israel and Palestine, according to South China Morning Post.

Prior to this reinstatement, Bangladesh's position had shifted ambiguously, allowing citizens to obtain visas for travel to Israel via third countries. Yet, the return of the exclusionary phrase reinforces the nation's longstanding policy of supporting Palestinian independence and highlights the political pressures faced by the current interim leadership, according to India Times.