Bangladesh undermines WTO rules

According to rules of World Trade Organization (WTO), none of its member countries are allowed to maintain total ban on another member country. Bangladesh is a member of WTO and continues to undermine such rule, thus in other words, violating international law. Because of this specific rule of WTO, country like Saudi Arabia even lifted trade embargo on Israel.

Bangladesh presently continues the following bans and embargoes on Israel, the only Jewish state in the world, despite the fact that, a large segment of readymade garment and shrimp buyers in the world are Jewish entrepreneurs. By doing business with Bangladesh, these Jewish entrepreneurs are in other words, patronizing an extremely hostile nation, which dreams of elimination of Israel from the global map.

Despite series of requests from the international community, Bangladesh did not change its anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic sentiment. Rather, the foreign advisor in the military backed interim government in Dhaka, Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, continues to give anti-US, anti-West, anti-Israel and anti Semitic statements. He has openly expressed solidarity to mega terrorist organization like Hamas and Hezbollah. Bangladeshi authorities even recently passed remarks in press stating that the country is no more a partner in war on terror. But, the international community is silent. Bangladeshi soldiers are continuing to work in joint forces under United Nations. But, for sure, it is time for the international community to look into the entire matter with due urgency and initiate some strong measures against Bangladesh for its anti-Israel and anti-Semitic as well as anti-US and anti-West notions.

Bangladesh continues the following bans and restrictions on Israel. According to experts, most of such actions by Bangladesh are direct violations of international charter and law:

1. Israeli Flag Vessel: Whenever any Letter of Credit (L/C) is established from a Bangladeshi bank, there is a specific clause in the L/C document stating, the good 9to be imported by Bangladesh) cannot be carried in 'Israeli flag' vessels.

Bangladesh previously did not have diplomatic relations with South Africa and now even does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. But, such notorious clause has never been used in case of any other country, except Israel, as if Bangladesh is at war with Israel.

2. Postal Services between Bangladesh and Israel: Bangladesh Postal Service does not accept any letter or postal materials bound Israel nor it delivers anything from Israel. Such restrictions had never been applied on South Africa when Bangladesh did not have diplomatic relations, nor it is applicable with Taiwan, with which Dhaka does not have diplomatic relations as yet.

3. Telecommunications to Israel: Bangladesh blocks telephone and fax communications with Israel. Restrictions had never been applied on South Africa when Bangladesh did not have diplomatic relations, nor it is applicable with Taiwan, with which Dhaka does not have diplomatic relations as yet. As everyone knows, in today's world, people can use Email to communicate and even send or receive fax while Net Phone to make calls. But, by blocking the telecommunication with Israel, Bangladesh certainly continues to show that, Dhaka considers Jerusalem as an enemy country.

4. Travel Ban: Bangladesh continues travel ban on Israel. Meanwhile, travel ban on South Africa was lifted when Bangladesh established diplomatic relations with that country. Dhaka is yet to recognize Taiwan although the travel ban was silently lifted several years back. In all Bangladeshi passports, issued to civilians it is clearly written, "Valid for all countries in the world, except Israel", while in all Bangladeshi passports issued to Bangladeshi diplomats, Bangladeshi MPs and Bangladeshi Ministers, which is known as 'Red Passport', it is written, "All countries of the world". This is a clean sign of mockery by Bangladesh. While Bangladeshi citizen are not allowed to travel to Israel, Bangladesh very tactfully omitted the same restrictions in the diplomatic passports, in other words to befool the international community showing that the country does not have any travel ban on Israel. By stopping the civilians from traveling to Israel, Dhaka is continuing to commit gross violation of people's right. Any country cannot have two systems at a time.

5. Trade Ban: Because of the mentioned point 1,2,3 and 4, there is no business relations between Dhaka and Jerusalem. There is visibly no initiative from the government of Bangladesh in doing removing such bans.

Now it should be a straight question to international community, entrepreneurs, businessmen and especially the Jewish community around the world – should any action be not taken forthwith against Bangladesh for its wrong behavior with Israel? Bangladesh supports Hamas, Hezbollah and other Islamists terror groups. Although it openly pretends to be anti-Taliban and anti Al Qaeda, it is understood that, in heart, Bangladesh feels proud at every notorious crime committed by any of the mentioned groups. How the peace-loving international community can afford to patronize a nation against war on terror and a nation opposing existence of the State of Israel by doing business with it? Let us just remember one small point, while buying Bangladeshi goods, we are our hard-earned money to a nation, which will continue to appease Islamist terror, Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah and will continue to oppose Israel, United States, West, Semitism and Christianity.