Malaysia Transit: Israelis Detained – Travel Warning Issued

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has detained at least eight Israeli nationals at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in recent months, including some with dual citizenship, as the country does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.

Israeli Nationals Detained at KLIA

The detentions involve travellers either entering Malaysia or transiting through the country to other destinations in Asia. In a recent incident on Wednesday, four young Israelis were stopped while changing flights en route to the Philippines.

Two women in the group, travelling on Israeli passports, were taken into custody. They stated they had relied on guidance from an AI chatbot that indicated transiting through Kuala Lumpur would be safe while travelling from Thailand to the Philippines. The women, who do not speak English, subsequently decided to return to Thailand.

In a separate case, two Israeli men travelling from Cambodia to the Philippines via Malaysia were held for two days before being deported back to Cambodia. Detentions typically last 24 to 48 hours, though some cases extend longer, particularly if travellers encounter difficulties entering other countries after deportation.

Israeli diplomatic officials based in Singapore have intervened to secure the release of some detained nationals, allowing them to continue their journeys or return to their point of departure. Israel’s ambassador to Singapore, Eliyahu Vered Hazan, stated that those detained had not committed any offences.

“All those detained had not broken any law or committed any offence. The only reason for their detention was that they were Israeli,” Hazan said.

Hazan urged Israelis to avoid travelling to Malaysia, echoing advisories issued by Israel’s National Security Council. He warned against assuming travel would be “fine,” adding that securing the release of detained nationals is not always successful.

Hazan noted a shift in conditions, particularly since the October 7, 2023 attacks, with “Targeted detentions of Israelis have become a commonplace, causing discomfort, prolonged delays and significant financial costs.” He advised travellers heading to Asia to avoid entering or transiting through Malaysia, warning that critical travel risks can be overlooked.