can a malaysian visit israel

Actually ah, why are Malaysians not allowed to travel to Israel?

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This article was originally written in Jan 2016.

Before we begin, a poll!

So do you any of you remember your first passport? Do you remember holding it with pride because you now had your face and name on a book that belonged to you (not like a tiny IC urgh)? Do you also remember the feeling of pride being quickly replaced with intrigue when you open your passport and on the first page and it says there…

“Pasport ini sah digunakan untuk semua negara kecuali Israel” – Any Malaysian passport googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1432096356462-0'); });

Yea, some of us in the CILISOS office recall feeling the same thing with our first passports. 

When we asked a few of our friends and acquaintances, a number of them said that they were told that Malaysians were not allowed to travel to Israel because it was a dangerous, war-torn country.   That may be true to a certain extent, but that is hard to believe when the World Health Organisation lists the life-expectancy of Israeli people as among the top 5 in the world in 2014. Also there are so many other  countries are currently war-torn but we don’t see Malaysia banning us from going there.  Heck we’re not even anywhere near them so it can’t be over a territorial dispute!

And with our Malaysian passport being one of the strongest in the world   (meaning how many countries we can go to without a visa, 163 countries to be exact), why would there be this massive restriction for just one particular country? Well, the answer is probably a bit more than just for safety reasons la.

Malaysia actually doesn’t accept Israel as a legit country at all!

Hence, the passport thing. You cannot actually go to a country that doesn’t exist , well at least in the eyes of your country. Since our independence in 1957, Malaysia as a country has not established any diplomatic relations with the state of Israel .

Aside from us not being allowed to travel there, Israeli people also  not allowed to travel here without some approval from the Home Ministry.

And it’s not like we’re the only country in the world which has done so. Heck it’s not even like it’s just 1-2 countries. Articles like this and this mention that at least 36 countries worldwide do not consider Israel as a legit country!

With there being around 196 countries in the world (around because there are more countries out there that are not legit to other countries ) that means about 18 percent, or almost 1 in 5 of the world’s countries doesn’t recognise Israel as legit. And with all that’s been said, the next most logical thing to ask is…

Because Malaysia supports another state: Palestine

“We have, are, and will always fight together with Palestine for their cause.” – PM Najib Razak, as quoted by The Star

Some of you already hearing bells ringing in your head. Yes this may be considered the war bit. The area which Israel refers to as their state , is also largely disputed to belong to another state, Palestine .

This timeline by Al Jazeera shows that the conflict between the 2 countries goes back to as early as 1799 but things started to get really heated after World War 2  especially as it got closer to the date of Israel’s establishment.

“Jewish Israelis, whose ancestors began migrating to the area in the 1880s, say their claim to the land is based on a promise from God , and also for the need for a safe haven from widespread hostility toward the Jewish people (known as anti-Semitism). The Palestinian Arabs say they are the rightful inhabitants of the land because their ancestors have lived there for hundreds of years. ” – Report by The New York Times

All that has happened has actually resulted in 2 governments recognised partially worldwide. All in an area about the size of Pahang.  (Click here for Pahang size and here for Israel/Palestine size )

But as far as Malaysian relations with these 2 states go, on the side of Palestine , we are one of 135 countries around the world that recognise Palestine as a legit country    (as of 2014).

But on the other hand, our approach to Israel  ( as listed on Kementerian Luar Negeri’s website ), is that we would only consider beginning ties with them when a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian people is reached.

But then again, Malaysia seems okay with Israel also in some other ways.

Malaysia’s weird relationship with Israel

Recently we even made news when we didn’t allow two Israeli windsurfers to use their flag or play their national anthem if they won , which led to them pulling out.  We’ve also been warned of doing the same to Israeli table tennis athletes in an upcoming tournament in Shah Alam.

Also, many of you would’ve heard of the  protests against McDonald’s, Starbucks, and HSBC ,  or the protests when Israel attacked a Palestinian mosque.  

HOWEVER….

“Trade continues to accelerate: Between January and July this year, Israeli exports to Malaysia soared to $884.7 million, a 27% jump over the same period last year. By contrast, Malaysia’s foreign trade figures don’t carry any mention of Israel at all. In its annual data for 2012, for instance, trade with Israel is included in an entry for “Other Countries.”” – TimesofIsrael.com

Aiyo. Why so shy, Malaysia? The same newspaper even patted Najib on the back for “a new dawn in Muslim-Jewish relations” . In fact, even PAS has voiced out against the government on this hypocrisy.

“To me, this is the hypocritical policy of Umno-BN to at once offer Malaysia’s aid and defence to the Palestinians while at the same time bolstering economic and trade ties with Israel. Indirectly, Malaysia is helping to strengthen Israel in continuing its oppression and killing of Palestinians,” he said in a statement today.” – PAS MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar, MalayMailOnline

In any case, the trade seems to have dropped with Israel exporting only $6.81 million worth of goods to Malaysia in 2020 but, yea, that’s a story for another day la. Let’s get back on topic.

“So as a Malaysian, I can never, ever go to Israel?”

Well, not ever , ever la.

Say you have a really, really important thing you need to go for in Israel, you will need the permission of the Kementerian Dalam Negeri to do so. An official at the Kementerian Dalam Negeri tells us that there are 3 cases where a gomen may allow a Malaysian to go to Israel.

• Religious reasons (only for Muslims and Christians)

You gotta apply for it  first though (just a heads up, clicking on link will result in download). Aside from that, if your intention is to go to Israel for cuti , you’re probably not gonna be able to do so. (But in regards to religious reasons, these also depend on the situation over there, because the Home Ministry has banned pilgrimages to Israel in the past , for security reasons.)

But hey… if you just wanna buy their goods, that’s pretty easy to do 🙂

• Kementerian Luar Negeri

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Claims that Malaysia and Israel are mulling an agreement allowing visa-free travel between their citizens are untrue.

In fact, Malaysia continues to have no diplomatic relations with Israel, while Malaysian passports cannot be used for travel to Israel except for specific cases of religious pilgrimage.

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Prosedur Kebenaran ke Israel

REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO ENTER ISRAEL

There are no diplomatic relations between Israel and Malaysia. Should an emergency arise, the Malaysia Government have no authority to assist Malaysians in Israel.

However, the Malaysia Government allows Malaysians to take part in a pilgrimage to travel to Israel/ Jerusalem with restricted permission at their own risk and responsibilities.

The application must be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs – MOHA (Kementerian Dalam Negeri) within 60 days from the date of the trip. Once the application is approved, the applicant must be present at the MHC Immigration Department. We will stamp the permission endorsement in the passport. The restricted endorsement given is for a single journey. It is the applicant’s responsibility to apply for the visa to Israel.

Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) , Bahagian Keselamatan, Blok D1, D2 & D9, Kompleks D, Pusat Pentadbiran,Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62546 Putrajaya Tel: 03 8000 8000 /03 8886 8064 Fax : 03-88891613 / 03-88891610 http://www.moha.gov.my/index.php/ms/

• Write a formal letter mentioning; 1. Purpose of visit, 2. Duration of stay, 3. Number of people, 4. Entry and Exit points (to/ From Israel), and 5. Current address, contact number and email address.
• A Copy of MyKad
• A Copy of passport validity for more than 6 months (Main Page)
• A Copy of valid immigration status in the country (Residence Permit)
• Proof of religion, e.g. baptism certificate or letter from church confirming member of the church congregation (non-Muslim); conversion certificate/ card or MyKad (Muslims)
• Hotel Booking (check-in and check-out dates)
• Flight Booking (arrival and departure dates)

TO OBTAIN AN ENDORSEMENT AT THE HIGH COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA, LONDON (IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT)

• One recent passport sized photo (white background)
• A Copy of Malaysian Passport (Main Page)
• Hotel Booking
• Flight Booking
• Approval letter issued by MOHA (KDN)
• Completed and duly signed application form PIM. 19/94 Lampiran A

Malaysia lifts quotas on pilgrims to Israel

Removal of restrictions reportedly will allow an unlimited number of malaysian christians to visit israel for up to 21 days at a time..

Did You Know M’sians Can Visit Israel Without A Passport? Here’s What It Takes

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Do you have your passport now with you ? If you do, check it! What does it say right on the front page? No, below the MALAYSIA PASSPORT. Yes, it’s the line that says ‘This passport is valid for all countries except Israel’. Has that line ever piqued your curiosity or at least made you wonder if you could ever visit Israel in your lifetime?

Source: thirunavukkarasukarasu

Facebook user Thirunavukkarassu Karasu posted an informational Q&A about whether or not Malaysians can go to Israel.

Monday sermonette: Can Malaysians visit Israel? I'm amazed at the number of people still ignorant about the law in… Posted by Thirunavukkarasu Karasu on  Sunday, December 15, 2019

He addressed some really important questions like firstly; can Malaysians even visit Israel – which is yes, BUT you can’t use your passport. I know, I know, without a passport, you can only travel within Malaysia. So, how does this work?

Well, since Malaysia doesn’t recognize the state of Israel, the only way Malaysians can visit there is without a passport. The way to do this is to apply directly with Wisma Putra, and they will guide you through the process. Apparently, applications are considered on a case by case basis and is up to the Minister’s discretion and based on the merits.

“So your visit to Israel is not a Malaysia Baru thing?” “No, it’s got nothing to do with Malaysia Baru or Baru Bian. Malaysia Lama already permitted fixed annual quotas for Malaysian Christians and Muslims to visit Jerusalem.”

He ended the Q&A by saying that the most important thing to be done if you are to visit Israel is to respect the laws of both countries as well as respecting all religions – and probably keep your controversial opinions to yourself?

The thread definitely answers a lot of burning questions and you should definitely take all these things into consideration if you want to visit Israel!

Also read: 33,000 M’sians Overstaying Visas In Australia Will Make Travelling Harder For The Rest Of Us

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Can Israeli Citizens Travel to Malaysia?

Malaysia, a vibrant Southeast Asian country known for its diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and mouthwatering cuisine, beckons travelers from around the world. For Israeli citizens considering a journey to this enchanting land, it’s essential to understand the travel regulations and visa requirements. In this blog post, we will explore the question of can Israeli citizens travel to Malaysia, visa considerations, travel tips, and important safety considerations.

Israel and Malaysia currently maintain no formal diplomatic relations. Malaysian passports bear the inscription: “This passport is valid for all countries except Israel”. Israeli passport holders are forbidden to enter Malaysia without written permission from the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs. The recognition of Israel is a politically delicate issue for the Malaysian government.

Having said that, while Malaysia officially maintains an outwardly hostile position towards Israel, commercial relations between the two countries do exist.

So the short answer is no, you can’t.

Visiting Malaysia Using Foreign Passport

As an Israeli citizen, you are not allowed to enter Malaysia using your Israeli passport, but in case you hold a foreign one you can use it to visit the beautiful country. In doing so, it is important to follow some recommendations:

First, do not mention at the border that you have an Israeli passport. Also, avoid showing them your Israeli passport by mistake. To ensure a smooth entry, it is best to place it in a separate bag.

Furthermore, refrain from using your Israeli passport to exit the country from which you intend to travel to Malaysia. Malaysian officials may inquire about your previous destination and request to see your exit stamp. As a result, likely, you won’t be able to enter that country using your Israeli passport, although some places (like Hong Kong) may be more lenient in this regard.

Travel Tips To Malaysia

Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure from Malaysia.

Cultural Respect: Malaysia is a culturally diverse nation, with a mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous communities. Respect local customs, traditions, and religious practices while visiting various regions.

Local Etiquette: Greet people with a smile and a warm “Salamat” (hello) to make a positive first impression. Understanding local etiquette enhances your travel experience and fosters meaningful interactions with locals.

Try the Cuisine: Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in Malaysia’s tantalizing cuisine. From flavorful curries to delicious street food, the country offers a feast for the senses.

Safety Considerations

While Malaysia is considered a safe travel destination, it is advisable for all travelers, but furthermore to Israeli citizens, to exercise general caution and follow standard safety practices:

Keep Valuables Secure: As with any travel destination, be mindful of your belongings, especially in crowded areas and tourist hotspots.

Emergency Contact Information: Save the contact details of your country’s embassy or consulate in Malaysia in case of any emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.

Health Precautions: Stay updated on any health advisories or vaccination requirements before traveling to Malaysia.

Related content: Can Israeli Citizens Travel to Indonesia? | Can Israeli Citizens Travel to Oman?

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Can Israel defeat Hamas? Its own military doesn’t seem to think so, clashing with Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may still be leading the country into its 258th day of war in Gaza , but on Thursday he stood increasingly alone — and at odds with his own military.

Long criticized at home as well as abroad, Netanyahu's approach is now the subject of a deepening disagreement with his top brass, as well as his country's top ally, the U.S.

Netanyahu dissolved his war Cabinet this week after former Defense Minister Benny Gantz , a political rival, stepped down , accusing Netanyahu of standing in the way of “real victory.”

And on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces' top spokesman seemed to lay bare the rift at the top of the country's leadership. The central stated goal of the war in Gaza — to destroy Hamas — was not possible, and to maintain it was meant "throwing sand in the eyes of the public," Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said.

“Hamas is an idea. Anyone who thinks we can eliminate Hamas is wrong," Hagari said in an interview with Israeli broadcaster Channel 13. "The political echelon needs to find an alternative — or it will remain," he said, referring to Hamas.

Netanyahu's office quickly rebuffed the comments, saying in a statement that "the political and security cabinet headed by Prime Minister Netanyahu defined as one of the goals of the war the destruction of Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities."

“The IDF is of course committed to this," it said.

The IDF signaled its agreement, saying it was acting to achieve Israel's war goals "tirelessly" and "will keep doing so." Hagari, it said in a statement, "addressed in his interview the elimination of Hamas as an idea and ideology, which was stated explicitly and clearly. Any other claim is taking the quote out of context."

Hamas welcomed Hagari's comments as an "admission" of defeat.

Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, said he was not convinced Hagari meant to directly disparage Israel's military strategy, but he said he could see how his comments would be taken that way.

"He was trying to say the truth," Michael, who is also a member of the Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy, said in a phone interview Thursday. But he said he believed Netanyahu understood that truth — and that Israel's goal was ultimately to prevent Hamas from being able to regroup and maintain power in Gaza.

Still, Hagari's comments reflected a growing push for Netanyahu to present an actionable plan for the day after the war in Gaza.

"If we don't bring something else to Gaza, then at the end of the day we will get Hamas," Michael warned.

The absence of a postwar plan for Gaza was at the heart of Gantz’s reasoning for quitting Netanyahu’s war Cabinet, and it has also driven criticism from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Israeli forces pushed deeper into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, continuing a monthslong assault that local officials say has killed more than 37,000 people.

Netanyahu has faced global criticism over the war's toll on Palestinian civilians and domestic pressure to agree to a cease-fire deal that would secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. In recent weeks he has also faced criticism for his approach to the exchanges taking place across Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

The IDF said Tuesday that plans for a new offensive in the north were approved, and the leader of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, responded Wednesday by saying the "enemy must expect us to come for them from land, air and sea."

The U.S. sent an envoy to the region in a bid to prevent all-out war in Lebanon, but Netanyahu also sparked dismay in Washington when he accused it of "withholding weapons and ammunition."

Since Israel launched its campaign in Gaza following Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks, in which Israeli officials say 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others were taken hostage, military experts have warned that the goal of eliminating Hamas was folly.

The Biden administration has offered the same evaluation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned last month that Israel would not be able to fully eliminate Hamas' presence in Gaza.

The United Nations has warned that thousands of children face possible malnutrition in the enclave, even as the IDF announced brief pauses in fighting to allow for the flow of humanitarian aid.

A U.S.-built floating pier installed along Gaza's coast to help facilitate the delivery of aid was re-anchored to the beach in Gaza on Wednesday, a senior defense official told NBC News.

The official said the U.S. military hopes to have humanitarian aid flowing again soon after it was temporarily taken out of service by damage and then high seas.

Chantal Da Silva reports on world news for NBC News Digital and is based in London.

Malaysia’s China-friendly stance is a bid to get its biggest trading partner to help keep the economy stable: ‘You can’t be choosy’

China Premier Li Qiang got the red carpet treatment when he landed in the Southeast Asian country of Malaysia on Tuesday, the last leg of a three-country regional tour.

During his first two stops—New Zealand and Australia—Li had to navigate a complex relationship with major trading partners still beset by simmering disagreements.

But Li was in friendlier territory for his last stop. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has been much more open toward Beijing and China. In public statements and interviews, Anwar has criticized a rising tide of “China-phobia,” emphasized his country’s nonaligned status , called China President Xi Jinping an “outstanding” leader, and even said Malaysia wants to join the BRICS international grouping of countries ahead of Li’s visit.

By the time Li left Malaysia on Thursday, Anwar had called China a “true friend.” 

During Li’s visit, China agreed to allow imports of fresh Malaysian durian, a spiky pungent fruit increasingly popular with Chinese consumers. Previously Malaysia, one of the world’s biggest producers of durian, could only ship frozen durian and related products to China. Malaysia exported $253 million worth of frozen durian products to China last year.

China and Malaysia signed over a dozen pacts during Li’s time in the Southeast Asian country, including a new five-year deal for trade and economic cooperation.

Li also attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a terminal of Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) in Gombak in the state of Selangor. The ambitious ECRL project, backed by China, aims to connect the two coasts of peninsular Malaysia. China’s premier suggested that Beijing is open to connecting the ECRL to other China-funded railway projects in Laos and Thailand, expanding China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the country’s global infrastructure project, further into the region.

Why are Malaysia and Anwar being so nice to China?

China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for over a decade, meaning the Southeast Asian country needs to remain in Beijing’s good books. 

“When your economy is not in the best shape and you need all this help, you can’t be choosy,” says Ei Sun Oh, senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. 

Malaysia’s GDP grew by 3.7% in 2023, below the government’s target of 4.0% to 5.0%. The government attributed the weaker-than-expected performance to “weakness in external demand.” Malaysia’s currency, the ringgit, has also weakened in recent months, making imported goods more expensive and contributing to inflation.

The economy is becoming a greater political concern for Anwar: 43% of Malaysians said they disapproved of the government’s handling of the economy, compared with 19% a year earlier, according to a November poll from the Merdeka Center. 

Anwar visited China twice last year, notes Sheana Yue, a Singapore-based economist with Capital Economics, during which the prime minister won some “pretty large investment deals” from Chinese businesses. 

Yue points to an extension of visa-free travel arrangements between China and Malaysia as a tangible benefit from Li’s trip. Before the COVID pandemic, China was the third-largest source of visitors to the Southeast Asian country. But numbers haven’t recovered since China lowered its quarantine restrictions in early 2023. Just 1.5 million Chinese traveled to Malaysia in 2023, compared with 3.1 million in 2019.

Geopolitics may also play a role. Malaysia’s government has long pursued a nonaligned strategy, which can sometimes be misunderstood as a pro-China stance, says Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow in the Southeast Asia program at the Lowy Institute. “Malaysia is trying to attract as many investment and trade partners as possible,” he notes.

Anwar’s openness to joining BRICS could be a play to “enhance Malaysia’s global standing,” says Wen Chong Cheah, an Asia analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit. 

Both Cheah and Oh believe the war in Gaza might also be driving Malaysia’s friendlier relationship with China. Malaysia’s population largely supports Palestine, and have gone as far as boycotting Western brands like Kentucky Fried Chicken and Starbucks to protest U.S. support for Israel.

Anwar has also defended engaging with Hamas, arguing that preserving ties allows him to help broker peace in the region. 

Yet Yaacob doesn’t see the war in Gaza as the reason driving Anwar’s China tilt. Instead, the Lowy Institute analyst interprets the prime minister’s approach as a way to foster a stable economy. 

“Economic stability is necessary for any government to survive,” he says. Anwar has “firsthand” experience of that, when he served as Malaysia’s deputy prime minister during the Asian Financial Crisis. “He knows that economic difficulty will lead to political and security instability,” Yaacob says. 

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Kosovo and Israel agree to allow each other’s citizens visa-free entry

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PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Citizens of Kosovo and Israel will be able to visit the other nation without a visa following an agreement between the two governments signed Tuesday, the Kosovar Foreign Ministry said.

The visa waiver agreement was signed in the Kosovar capital, Pristina, by visiting Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel and Kosovar Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla.

Gervalla said the agreement will “open a new chapter in promoting our country, our cooperation and economic development, youngsters’ educational development and the implementation of joint initiatives and projects between our citizens and our countries in the future.”

The visa waiver will go into effect in September. No details on the length of stay were given.

This year Kosovars can also enjoy visa-free stays of up to 90 days -– within six months -– in any of the 27 Schengen-area member states in Europe.

Kosovo and Israel formally established diplomatic ties in February 2021. Israel is the 117th country to recognize Kosovo.

Kosovo’s independence from Serbia in 2008, nine years after a U.S.-led 78-day NATO airstrike campaign against Serbia to stop a bloody crackdown against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, is recognized by most Western nations, but not by Serbia and its allies Russia and China.

The government of former U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in late 2017 and moved the U.S. Embassy there in May 2018.

Kosovo was the first European country, and the first country with a Muslim majority, to establish an embassy in Jerusalem, following the U.S. and Guatemala. An opening ceremony was held in March 2021.

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania.

Follow Llazar Semini at https://x.com/lsemini

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Israel and Lebanon escalate rhetoric as US tries to prevent war

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Another official from UK PM Sunak's party probed over election bets, Sunday Times reports

An official from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party is being investigated by Britain's gambling regulator over allegations he placed bets on the date of the general election before it was announced, the Sunday Times reported.