US summons Malaysian ambassador over Israel policy

The United States has summoned Malaysia’s ambassador in Washington to clarify Kuala Lumpur’s position on Israel, according to Reuters, citing Malaysian state media.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said Ambassador Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob informed the U.S. State Department that Malaysia’s longstanding policy of not recognising Israel remains unchanged.

"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."

Mohamad added that the issue was highlighted by a recent immigration case.

"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," media cited Mohamad as saying late on Thursday.

Reuters has sought comment from the U.S. embassy in Malaysia.

The diplomatic friction follows scrutiny of Network School, a “digital nomad” community founded in Malaysia by U.S. investor Balaji Srinivasan, after social media users alleged it included Israeli participants.

Malaysia, which does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and has long supported the Palestinian cause, launched an immigration investigation into the initiative. Authorities said all participants held valid travel documents, but the programme was ultimately shut down by authorities on Tuesday.

The dispute has drawn attention in Washington. Eight U.S. lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concern over Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s reported plan to identify and deport any Israeli citizens in the country.

The lawmakers urged the State Department to review U.S. security and economic ties with Malaysia. They also called for funding to be cut to the International Military Education and Training (IMET) programme — which provides U.S. professional training to Malaysian military personnel — unless the policy is reversed within 15 days.

By Tamilla Hasanova