Malaysia envoy summoned by US over deportation of dual American-Israeli citizen
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States has been 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 Foreign Ministry that Malaysia’s long-standing policy of not recognizing Israel was not new.
“That has always been Malaysia’s policy. Our immigration policy does not recognize the state of Israel or the Zionist regime. That has been our position for a long time.”
“There was a person with dual citizenship, US and Israel, who entered Malaysia with his US passport. However, later checks revealed that he also had Israeli citizenship and we asked him to leave,” Bernama quoted Mohamad as saying late Thursday evening.
Reuters has contacted the US Embassy in Malaysia for comment.
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The row was sparked after Network School, the “digital nomad” community founded in Malaysia by US investor Balaji Srinivasan, came under scrutiny after social media users claimed it included participants from Israel.
Demonstrators hold Palestinian flags and march in front of the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during a protest against Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, June 20, 2025. (AP/Vincent Thian)
Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and is considered a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.
An immigration investigation ensued at the Network School, and authorities determined that all participants had valid travel documents. However, authorities finally closed it on Tuesday.
Eight U.S. congressmen later sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing outrage over Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s plan to track down and immediately deport all Israeli citizens found in Malaysia.
They called on the State Department to review U.S. security and economic relations with Malaysia.
They also called on the State Department to stop funding the International Military Education and Training program, which provides professional U.S. training to Malaysian military personnel, unless the decision is reversed within 15 days.
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