Bangladesh–Israel relations explained

Bangladesh and Israel do not have diplomatic relations. Bangladesh has stated that it will not recognize Israel until there is an independent Palestinian state.[1] Some reports have alleged that Bangladesh and Israel maintain some trade relations indirectly and sometimes secretly and via proxies, although the Bangladesh government denies these allegations.

Diplomacy

Bangladesh is one of 29 UN member states that do not recognize the state of Israel and very clear from the time of its inception. It is one of several countries that officially bans its citizens from traveling to Israel and does not accept Israeli passports.[2] [3] [4] In November 2003, Bangladeshi journalist Salah Choudhury was arrested for attempting to fly to Tel Aviv, arraigned for "sedition, treason, and blasphemy", and sentenced to a seven-year prison term.[5] [6] Bangladesh officially supports a sovereign Palestinian state hosting a Palestinian embassy and "an end to Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine".[3]

In a September 2011 statement published in The Jerusalem Post, an Israeli government spokesperson said, "We have no conflict with Bangladesh. We want dialogue. We want people-to-people relations. We welcome the religious-minded people of Bangladesh to visit the holy land of Jerusalem".[7] Israel fruitlessly "sought a relationship with Bangladesh" after they had established "full diplomatic relations with China and India in 1992".[8] Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in 2014, "We have been continuing our support to the Palestinians and occupation of their land by the Israelis is never acceptable".[9]

In late May 2021, Bangladesh removed "except Israel" from their passport to meet the "international standard"[10] [11] from an earlier version which said "This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel". The removal was only from their e-passport and removal from machine readable passports (MRP) is on process.[10] [12] Though the term was removed from the passport, Bangladesh did not remove the ban on traveling to Israel with Bangladeshi passport.[13]

Bangladesh has expressed its solidarity with the Palestinian people during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.[14]

Trade

Bangladesh maintains a ban on trade with Israel even though both countries are members of the World Trade Organization.[8] In 2014, it was found from the official statistics of the Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau that Bangladesh had exported a small amount of merchandise goods worth about to Israel in 2013–14 fiscal year.[15] In recent years however, it is found that Bangladeshi products are exported to Israel through the United States, the European Union or other third countries.[16]

Israel imported ready-made garments, apparel and textile products from Bangladesh worth $333.74 million in the fiscal year 2022. Most imported Bangladeshi goods came via Turkey, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore.[17] Ready-made garments brokerage based in Singapore made payments to Bangladeshi banks from Singapore and Turkey as there is no direct diplomatic and economic relationship between both countries.[18]

Indian company Adani Group's planned take-over of the Port of Haifa would allow Muslim countries, including Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, to ship products to and from Haifa port despite not having a direct diplomatic relationship.[19]

The economic potential of the two countries is immense, said Joseph Rozen, the former director for Asia and Euro-Asia affairs in the Israeli National Security Council.[20] Israel needs goods and services that Bangladesh can offer directly instead of obtaining the same Bangladeshi goods via Singapore and Turkey.[21]

Spyware purchase

In February 2021, an Al-Jazeera investigation report titled "All the Prime Minister's Men" alleged that Bangladeshi military intelligence secretly bought Israeli-made mobile phone surveillance and manipulation equipment that can be used to simultaneously monitor hundreds of people.[22] The report also claimed that some Bangladeshi military officers were trained by Israeli tech experts at a warehouse in Hungary.[23] Bangladesh Army denied these allegations in an official statement.[24]

Bangladesh's security agency, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, commonly known as DGFI, purchased mass surveillance software, spyware and cyber monitoring products from Israeli companies worth $12 million.[25] Bangladeshi Government's security agents were trained in Hungary and Thailand.[18] [26] Photos appeared online showing DGFI agents posing for photos with Israeli trainers.[27]

Bangladesh Liberation War

Israel was one of the first nations to recognize the independent Bangladesh in February 1972.[28] Both the Israeli Government and the Israeli general public supported the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. After the independence of Bangladesh, the newly formed country was quickly recognized by Israel on 7 February 1972.[28] However, the Government of Bangladesh officially rejected the Israeli recognition.[29] Stating it would not recognize the Israeli state until there is an independent Palestinian state. On behalf of the Bangladeshi Government, the then Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, issued a letter saying this recognition was not acceptable.

2006 Lebanon War

In the immediate aftermath of the 2006 Lebanon War, Bangladesh offered to send battalions of its infantrymen to help with the UN peacekeeping force, but Israel rejected it stating that Bangladesh does not recognize Israel.[30] Although Israel rejected the country's participation, Bangladesh was one of first countries whose troops reached the shores of south Lebanon. Whereas western nations, such as the original leader and top contributor to Lebanon, France, delayed their deployment. As of May 2015, Bangladesh has 326 peacekeepers participating in UNIFIL in Lebanon.[31]

Allegation of Mossad connection

In May 2016, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina alleged that opposition parties BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh have joined with Israeli national intelligence agency Mossad to overthrow her government through a coup after it had been reported that Aslam Chowdhury, the joint secretary general of BNP met the Israeli politician Mendi N. Safadi during a visit to India.[32] Aslam claimed that the meeting was accidental.[33]

On 7 June 2016, Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan alleged that the main opposition party BNP has link to the recent fundamentalists attacks in Bangladesh and these attacks are part of a wider conspiracy that also involved Mossad, the national intelligence agency of Israel.[34] Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman referred to the allegations as "utter drivel."

2023 Israel-Hamas War

Following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry swiftly condemned the loss of innocent civilian lives from both sides and expressed its endorsement of a two-state solution to the conflict.[35] Emphasizing that the escalation of conflict benefits no party, Government of Bangladesh called on both sides to exercise maximum restraint and implement an immediate ceasefire to prevent further casualties.[36] Bangladesh has long advocated for a two-state solution, envisioning Palestine and Israel coexisting as independent states in adherence to UN Resolutions 242 and 338, with the aim of establishing enduring peace and stability in the region. Information Minister, Hasan Mahmud, firmly stated the country's opposition to wars and killings, highlighting the unacceptable nature of holding civilians hostage during conflicts, irrespective of the location or circumstances. He specifically denounced the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, including the cutoff of essential resources, as an unjustifiable act in the name of war.[37]

On November 17, Bangladesh, along with four other nations, including South Africa, jointly called for an International Criminal Court investigation into Israel's indiscriminate war on the Gaza Strip.[38]

Notes and References

  1. News: B'desh should not establish ties with Israel: Experts. 21 June 2015. Zee News. 29 August 2010. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224205938/http://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/bdesh-should-not-establish-ties-with-israel-experts_651483.html. live.
  2. News: Moving Israel from Europe to Asia. The Jerusalem Post. Opinion. 29 January 2015. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224205951/https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Moving-Israel-from-Europe-to-Asia-388259. live.
  3. Web site: Statement by Her Excellency Ms. Dipu Moni, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh . Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131224114515/http://www.mofa.gov.bd/Statement/PRDetails.php?PRid=20 . 24 December 2013.
  4. News: Grant: I'll have no issue with my Israeli passport. ghanaweb.com. 29 January 2015. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224205943/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Grant-I-ll-have-no-issue-with-my-Israeli-passport-337838. live.
  5. News: The unfathomable life of Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury. The Times of Israel. 29 January 2015. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224205926/http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-unfathomable-life-of-salah-uddin-shoaib-choudhury/. live.
  6. News: Bangladesh editor gets 7 years for attempted Israel trip. Winer. Stuart. 9 January 2014. The Times of Israel. 29 January 2015. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224205935/http://www.timesofisrael.com/bangladesh-editor-gets-7-years-for-attempted-israel-trip/. live.
  7. News: Time for a quiet revolution in Bangladesh-Israeli relations. Nasir. Khaled. 2 September 2011. The Jerusalem Post. 24 February 2015. 5 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190105202139/https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/Time-for-a-quiet-revolution-in-Bangladesh-Israeli-relations. live.
  8. News: Elections in Bangladesh – Why do we care?. Ohad Shpak. The Times of Israel. 1 February 2015. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224205924/http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/elections-in-bangladesh-why-do-we-care/. live.
  9. News: PM: Attack on Gaza is violation of humanity . Dhaka Tribune . 21 June 2015 . 24 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224210003/https://www.dhakatribune.com/error . live .
  10. News: bn:পাসপোর্ট থেকে ইসরায়েল প্রসঙ্গ বাদ: যা বলছে সরকার. https://m.bdnews24.com/bn/detail/bangladesh/1893122. Bdnews24.com. 23 May 2021. 23 May 2021. 22 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210522213027/https://m.bdnews24.com/bn/detail/bangladesh/1893122. dead.
  11. Web site: Bajwa. Muzaffar Ahmad Noori. 2021-05-22. Bangladesh's friendly move towards Israel... 'except Israel' removed from new passport. 2021-05-23. The Eastern Herald. en-US. 2021-05-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20210523000537/https://www.easternherald.com/2021/05/22/bangladeshs-friendly-move-towards-israel-except-israel-removed-from-new-passport/. live.
  12. Web site: Will Bangladesh normalize ties with Israel? – DW – 05/31/2021 . 2023-10-24 . dw.com . en . 2023-11-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231103085930/https://www.dw.com/en/new-bangladeshi-passport-fuels-speculation-over-israel-ties/a-57731321 . live .
  13. News: Travel ban remains: Dhaka reacts to Israel foreign ministry's tweet. 23 May 2021. 27 May 2021. The Daily Star. 27 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210527045741/https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/travel-ban-remains-dhaka-reacts-israel-foreign-ministrys-tweet-2097473. live.
  14. Web site: 2023-10-12 . Overwhelmed to see love and support here for people in Palestine: Ambassador . 2023-11-11 . The Business Standard . en . 2023-11-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231111184654/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/overwhelmed-see-love-and-support-here-people-palestine-ambassador-717566 . live .
  15. News: No diplomatic ties but B'desh earns from export in Israel. 20 May 2014. New Age. 1 February 2015. 5 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190105202156/http://www.newagebd.net/12763/no-diplomatic-ties-but-bdesh-earns-from-export-in-israel/#sthash.8sC2om4Y.dpbs. live.
  16. News: Bangladesh exports unknown goods to Israel. 11 August 2014. Prothom Alo. 1 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160711052311/http://en.prothom-alo.com/economy/news/51873/Bangladesh-exports-unknown-goods-to-Israel. 11 July 2016. dead.
  17. Web site: Time to decode Bangladesh-Israel trade . 2023-10-19 . The Financial Express . en . 2023-10-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023204550/https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/columns/time-to-decode-bangladesh-israel-trade-1622130558 . live .
  18. Web site: 2023-10-18 . Bangladesh and Israel’s trade and security cooperation are growing despite not having formal ties . 2023-10-19 . Global Defense Corp . en-US . 2023-10-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023204550/https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2023/10/19/bangladesh-and-israels-trade-and-security-cooperation-are-growing-despite-not-having-formal-ties/ . live .
  19. News: 2023-01-31 . Israel eyes trade gateway to ME as Adani takes over Haifa port . 2023-10-19 . The Daily Star . Reuters . en . 2023-10-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023204559/https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/israel-eyes-trade-gateway-me-adani-takes-over-haifa-port-3235601 . live .
  20. News: 2023-03-05 . Abraham Accords bring opportunities for Israel-Bangladesh cooperation . Dhaka Tribune . 2023-10-24 . 2023-11-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231103085934/https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/south-asia/282348/abraham-accords-bring-opportunities-for . live .
  21. Web site: 2022-01-13 . What are the prospects for Israel-Bangladesh relations? . 2023-10-24 . The Jerusalem Post JPost.com . en-US . 2023-10-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023142655/https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/article-692397 . live .
  22. News: Bangladesh bought spyware from Israeli surveillance company . 2023-10-19 . Al Jazeera . en . 2023-06-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608085304/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/2/bangladesh-bought-surveillance-equipment-from-israeli-company . live .
  23. News: Bangladesh bought spyware from Israeli surveillance company . 4 February 2021 . . 2 February 2021 . en . 3 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210203182830/https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2021/2/2/bangladesh-bought-surveillance-equipment-from-israeli-company . live .
  24. News: Bangladesh Army denies procuring Mobile Interceptor Device from Israel . 4 February 2021 . Dhaka Tribune . 2 February 2021 . 2 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210202134502/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/military-affairs/2021/02/02/bangladesh-army-denies-procuring-mobile-interceptor-device-from-israel . live .
  25. Web site: Despite Ban, Bangladesh Bought Spyware Worth at Least $12 Million From Israeli Firms: Report . 2023-10-19 . The Wire . 2023-10-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023204549/https://thewire.in/south-asia/bangladesh-spyware-israel-ban . live .
  26. Web site: Report about govt purchase of Israeli spy technology rocks Bangladesh . 2023-10-19 . Benar News . en . 2023-10-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023204549/https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/bengali/surveillance-01142023175608.html . live .
  27. News: In Response to Haaretz Investigation, Bangladesh Says It Made No ‘Direct’ Purchases of Spytech From Israel . en . Haaretz . 2023-10-19 . 2023-03-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315000705/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2023-01-11/ty-article/.premium/bangladesh-says-it-made-no-direct-purchases-of-cybersecurity-from-israel/00000185-a153-d69c-abc5-b55b77070000 . live .
  28. Web site: Israel Recognizes Bangladesh . 7 February 1972 . 2022-12-07 . Jewish Telegraphic Agency . en-US . 2022-12-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221206232207/https://www.jta.org/archive/israel-recognizes-bangladesh . live .
  29. Book: Verinder Grover. Bangladesh: Government and Politics. 1 January 2000. Deep & Deep Publications. 978-81-7100-928-2. 674. 24 October 2016. 2 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230702033621/https://books.google.com/books?id=R1uTvbI84HIC&pg=PA674. live.
  30. News: Israeli troops shoot Hezbollah militants . CNN . 2 April 2010 . 24 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224210008/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/21/mideast.main/index.html%20 . live .
  31. Web site: UNIFIL Troop-Contributing Countries . unifil.unmissions.org . Information and Communications Technology Division . 25 June 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150626104608/http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=11559&language=en-US . 26 June 2015 .
  32. News: Hasina accuses rivals of trying to topple govt.. 19 May 2016. The Hindu. 0971-751X. 16 June 2016. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224205910/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/hasina-accuses-rivals-of-trying-to-topple-govt/article8617107.ece%20/. live.
  33. News: I met Israeli accidentally. 11 May 2016. The Daily Star. 16 June 2016. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224205844/https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/i-met-israeli-accidentally-1222579. live.
  34. News: Bangladeshi minister blames Israel for string of gruesome murders. The Times of Israel. 16 June 2016. 13 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160613115915/http://www.timesofisrael.com/bangladeshi-minister-blames-israel-for-string-of-gruesome-murders/. live.
  35. Web site: October 8, 2023 . Bangladesh calls for immediate ceasefire . December 5, 2023 . The Dhaka Tribune . October 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011220128/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/327400/bangladesh-only-dialogue-diplomacy-can-offer . live .
  36. Web site: 2023-10-15 . Dhaka denounces Israel's killing of women and children in besieged Gaza . 2023-12-06 . The Business Standard . en.
  37. Web site: October 10, 2023 . Hasan: Not right to hold Palestinians hostage in name of war . live . December 5, 2023 . The Dhaka Tribune . October 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011090739/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/327615/hasan-not-right-to-hold-palestinians-hostage-in .
  38. News: 2023-11-17 . Five nations seek war crimes probe in Palestinian territories . en . Reuters . 2023-12-06 . 2023-12-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231201015224/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/five-nations-seek-war-crimes-probe-palestinian-territories-2023-11-17/ . live .

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