Malaysia: We will deport any Israeli citizen found on our territory

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (YPA) – The Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that his country will deport any Israeli citizen found within Malaysian territory, emphasizing that Kuala Lumpur does not recognize Israel and does not allow its citizens to enter the country.

The Malay Mail Newspaper quoted Ibrahim as saying that security agencies are conducting a thorough investigation into reports of Israelis being present in Malaysia, adding: “We are investigating the matter and we will not allow it. If there are Israeli citizens in the country, they will be deported immediately because we do not recognize Israel.”

The statements came after media reports of Israelis suspected of using dual citizenship documents being spotted in the southern state of Johor.

Malaysia and Israel do not have diplomatic relations, and holders of Israeli passports are prohibited from entering Malaysia without written permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Conversely, Malaysian citizens are prohibited from traveling to the occupied Palestinian territories, and Malaysian passports bear the statement: “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel.”