Malaysia envoy summoned by US over Israel policy, Bernama says
The U.S. State Department summoned the Malaysian ambassador to discuss the country's strict policy against recognizing Israel. This follows the closure of a digital nomad school in Malaysia due to the presence of Israeli participants.
Why it matters
The incident has strained diplomatic relations, with U.S. lawmakers threatening to review security and economic ties if Malaysia continues its deportation policies regarding Israeli citizens.
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Reuters) - Malaysia's ambassador to the United States was summoned by the U.S. State Department to explain Kuala Lumpur's position on Israel, state media reported, citing the country's foreign minister.
Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said Ambassador Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob told the State Department that Malaysia's longstanding policy of not recognising Israel was not new.
"It has always been Malaysia's policy. Our immigration policy does not recognise the State of Israel or the Zionist regime. This has long been our position."
"There was an individual with dual citizenship, the U.S. and Israel, who entered Malaysia using his U.S. passport. However, subsequent checks revealed that he also held Israeli citizenship, and we asked him to leave," Bernama cited Mohamad as saying late on Thursday.
Reuters has sought comment from the U.S. embassy in Malaysia.
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