The US Department of State has summoned Malaysia's ambassador to the United States over his country's longstanding policy on Israel, state news agency Bernama reported.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on Thursday night that Ambassador Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob told the US State Department that Malaysia's policy of not recognizing the state of Israel was not new. "It has always been Malaysia's policy. Our immigration policy does not recognize the State of Israel or the Zionist regime. This has long been our position," Bernama cited Hasan as saying.

The minister explained that an individual with dual US-Israeli citizenship entered Malaysia using a US passport, but subsequent checks revealed his Israeli citizenship, and he was asked to leave. Malaysia has no diplomatic ties with Israel and has emphasized support for the Palestinian cause, opposing Israeli actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The incident was triggered by the Network School, a "digital nomad" community founded by US investor Balaji Srinivasan, after social media users claimed it included Israeli participants. A probe found all participants had valid documents, but the school was shut down on Tuesday.

Eight US congressmen later sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing outrage over Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's plan to track and deport any Israeli citizens in the country. On Wednesday, Ibrahim reiterated that Malaysia would continue to bar Israeli citizens from entering, despite US objections.

"That will not deter us. They may issue threats, but I will firmly defend the rights of the Malaysian people and uphold the government's decision to continue prohibiting the entry of any Israeli national into Malaysia," he added. The congressmen urged a review of economic and security ties with Kuala Lumpur, threatening to cut funding for the International Military Education and Training program unless the decision is reversed within 15 days.

Source: www.aljazeera.com