The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a new directive reincorporating the phrase "Except Israel" into Bangladeshi passports. This change aligns with Bangladesh's long-standing policy of not recognizing Israel as a state. The phrase was previously removed from passports in May 2021.

Alongside this update, significant changes have been made to the e-passport watermarks, which will now feature the images of three martyrs from the July mass uprising: Abu Sayed, Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, and Wasim Akram. The ministry has instructed the Department of Immigration and Passports to take necessary measures for implementation.

According to a government order issued by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Nuruzzaman on Sunday (July 19), the existing images in the e-passport booklet have been rearranged, and the design has been modified, expanded, and refined to properly organize the watermarks.

Key Design and Policy Updates
Under the new home ministry directives, several alterations have been finalized for the 48-page and 64-page e-passports, which will be introduced progressively in newly issued documents:

Reinstatement of the Israel Clause: The phrase "THIS PASSPORT IS VALID FOR ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD EXCEPT ISRAEL" has been restored opposite the data page.

New Watermark Imagery: The updated designs feature cultural and national landmarks, including the Oriental magpie-robin (national bird), the Central Shaheed Minar, the Eternal Flame (Shikha Anirban) at the National Martyrs' Memorial, and the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Parliament House).

Inclusion of July Uprising Martyrs: Special watermarks commemorating the July Mass Uprising of 2024 have been added, featuring:

• Abu Sayed standing with arms outstretched.
• Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho holding a bottle of water in Uttara.
• Wasim Akram wearing a jersey featuring the national flag.

These three portraits are included under the title "July Mass Uprising 2024."

Removed Elements
As part of the redesign, several previous landmarks and national symbols have been removed from the e-passport watermarks. These include:

• The mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara, Gopalganj
• The Independence Monument at Suhrawardy Udhyan
• Model mosques
• The Bangabandhu (Jamuna) Bridge
• The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novotheatre
• Bangabandhu Satellite-1
• The Padma Bridge
• The Metrorail system
• Boats and Cox's Bazar sea beach
• The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
• The Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial in Meherpur

The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that these revised designs will apply to all newly issued 48 and 64-page e-passports moving forward.