Malaysia expels individual with dual US-‘Israeli’ citizenship

Malaysia has asked a dual American-‘Israeli’ citizen to leave the country after authorities discovered the individual’s ‘Israeli’ citizenship, underscoring the Southeast Asian nation’s longstanding refusal to admit ‘Israeli’ nationals.

The person entered using a United States passport, but subsequent checks revealed the dual nationality, prompting immigration officials to order departure, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan confirmed.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday reaffirmed that Malaysia will maintain its decades-old policy of denying entry to ‘Israeli’ citizens.

“This is totally absurd because, as far as we are concerned, this policy has been adopted by Malaysia for decades,” Anwar told reporters in Seremban.

“We are against the presence here of any Israeli citizen – not Jews, but Israeli citizens because they are complicit in the murders, crimes and continuous oppression and colonisation of Palestine and Gaza.”

The latest action follows Anwar’s earlier pledge on July 15 to immediately deport any ‘Israeli’ nationals found in the country, including those holding dual citizenship.

That statement came amid public outcry and an official investigation into the Network School, a tech and digital-nomad community in Forest City, Johor.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan stressed that the policy is not new. “It has always been Malaysia’s policy. Our immigration policy does not recognize the State of Israel or the Zionist regime. This has long been our position,” he said.

Regarding the specific case, he added: “There was an individual with dual citizenship, the US and Israel, who entered Malaysia using his US passport. However, subsequent checks revealed that he also held Israeli citizenship, and we asked him to leave.”

The developments prompted a sharp response from Washington.

The US State Department summoned Malaysia’s ambassador to explain the position.

Separately, eight US lawmakers, including Greg Landsman and Josh Gottheimer, wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging a review of security and economic ties with Malaysia.

They called for suspending funding for the International Military Education and Training program for Malaysian personnel unless the deportation policy is reversed within 15 days.

Anwar rejected the pressure, insisting Malaysia is exercising its sovereign right and is not violating international law.

“Malaysia is an independent country and we are free to voice our opinions,” he said.

“We will continue to proceed with this policy and we will not allow Israeli citizens to set foot in Malaysia.”

He emphasized that the stance targets ‘Israeli’ citizenship due to the government’s opposition to ‘Israel’s’ actions in Palestine and Gaza, not Jewish people.

Malaysia has never established diplomatic relations with ‘Israel’ and has consistently supported the Palestinian cause.