Key facts
- Malaysia's ambassador to the U.S. was summoned by the State Department to explain Kuala Lumpur's policy on Israel.
- Malaysia has a longstanding policy of not recognizing Israel and does not have diplomatic ties.
- The issue arose after a 'digital nomad' community faced scrutiny for allegedly including Israeli participants.
- Malaysian authorities investigated and subsequently shut down the community.
- Eight U.S. congressmen expressed outrage and called for a review of U.S.-Malaysia ties and funding.
Malaysia's ambassador to the United States was summoned by the U.S. State Department to explain Kuala Lumpur's position on Israel, state media reported. Ambassador Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob reiterated Malaysia's longstanding policy of not recognizing Israel, stating that an individual with dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship was asked to leave the country.
The situation escalated after the 'digital nomad' community, Network School, founded by U.S. investor Balaji Srinivasan, faced scrutiny over allegations of including Israeli participants. Although an immigration probe found all participants had valid documents, authorities eventually shut down the community.
In response, eight U.S. congressmen sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressing outrage over Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's plan to deport any Israeli citizens found in the country. They urged the State Department to review U.S. security and economic ties with Malaysia and threatened to cut funding for the International Military Education and Training program if the decision was not reversed within 15 days.