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The National Revolutionary Council has expressed gratitude to the interim government’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for their decision to reinstate the phrase “Except Israel” on Bangladeshi passports.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the council’s Convenor Khomeini Ihsan and Member Secretary Hasan Arif conveyed their appreciation. The press release, signed by Hasan Arif, highlighted the significance of the decision.
The statement noted that in 2021, the Sheikh Hasina regime removed “Except Israel” from the passport as part of a secret alignment with Israel. It further alleged that the regime purchased Pegasus spyware from Israel to surveil the people of Bangladesh. The then-opposition parties remained mysteriously silent and completely avoided the issue.
However, after Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, and with the emergence of a student-led political agency following the July 24 uprising, Palestine began to gain prominence as a major national issue in Bangladesh.
Following the National Revolutionary Council’s formal launch on December 16 at the Central Mosque of Dhaka University, the council initiated a weekly solidarity program on February 7, demanding the restoration of the passport restriction until Palestine achieves independence. On February 15, Senior Joint Convenor Mohammad Shamsuddin announced a continuous protest and gave a one-month ultimatum during a rally at the national mosque, Baitul Mukarram.
As the demand remained unmet, a delegation led by the council’s political head Md. Anisur Rahman and Revolutionary Student Council’s Convenor Abdul Wahed submitted a memorandum to the Home Adviser at the Secretariat on March 18. At that time, the adviser reportedly stated that the demand to reinstate “Except Israel” on Bangladeshi passports was legitimate. He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs was positive about the move but needed to consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs due to the international implications. The reinstatement would proceed upon recommendation from the foreign ministry.
According to the statement, the Home Adviser has now honored his promise by deciding to restore the “Except Israel” phrase. It said that while indiscriminate genocide continues in Gaza, Bangladesh has taken a bold stand, sending a clear message against the colonial and illegal state of Israel, showing that global resistance and rejection extend beyond Gaza and the West Bank. This move elevates Bangladesh to a position of leadership among the global Muslim community.
The statement also acknowledged the active roles played by Students for Sovereignty, Inqilab Mancha, and the Anti-Fascist Movement in demanding the reinstatement of “Except Israel” on the passport.
