Stating that Israel is a threat to the entire world, BNP on Sunday questioned as to why the Awami League government is trying to develop a relationship with that country by removing the words "except Israel" in the new passport.
“The Home Ministry has decided to remove the word ‘except Israel’ from the new passport. There’s a consensus among our people that Israel is our enemy as they’ve destroyed human rights,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while speaking at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said: “Israel is a threat not only to the Middle East but also to the entire world. Why’s the Bangladesh government going to build a loving relationship with Israel?"
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Fakhrul said there is a correlation between the government’s move to remove the word “expect Israel” from the passport and Al Jazeera's report that Bangladesh bought a surveillance device or spying equipment originally made by Israel.
“That’s why there’s a fear among the people of the country whether the government is going to make such an agreement again with Israel or whether it's going to do something else. We all know Israel is the best in the world in terms of intelligence,” Fakhrul said.
He said people are observing with deep concern the government’s new move regarding Israel.
About BNP’s position on Israel, he said: “We would like to make it clear BNP has no link with Israel. We’ve an anti-Israel stance. “We’ve always been against Israel. We’re still in the same position.”
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Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said there has been no change in Bangladesh's position towards Israel as it still does not recognize Israel.
Talking to UNB, he also said removing the words like valid for travelling “except Israel” in the new passport does not mean that there has been a change in Bangladesh’s position.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has been running the country depending on bureaucracy as it has lost ground beneath its feet for lack of public support.
He also said the government is now letting loose detectives against journalists and creating obstacles to publishing many reports by giving various instructions.
Also Read - Bangladesh drops 'except Israel' from passport, but keeps ban on travel
No change in Khaleda’s condition
Fakhrul said he briefed journalists about the BNP chief’s health condition two days back. “There’s no change in her condition. She’s in the same condition as she was two days ago.”
He said Khaleda Zia is being given physiotherapy as part of her treatment.
On Friday, Fakhrul said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s kidneys and heart have been affected by post-Covid complications.
“It’s a matter of little worry that her (Khaleda’s) heart and kidneys have been affected by her post-Covid complications.
“Doctors are worried about this and they’re trying to figure out how to cure it,” he said.
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The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on May 3.
Though she has already tested negative for the virus, Khaleda is still receiving treatment at the CCU of the hospital for post-Covid complications and other comorbidities.
