Malaysia has been detaining Israeli passport holders in increasing numbers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, according to a report published on March 28 by Wynet Global. In recent months, at least eight Israelis have been held, some while attempting to enter Malaysia and others while using the country as a transit point to other Asian destinations. The two nations do not maintain formal diplomatic relations.

One incident involved four young Israelis detained during a transit stop on their way from Thailand to the Philippines. Two of them said they had consulted a chatbot about the safety of transiting through Kuala Lumpur and received a positive response before deciding to travel. In another case, two Israeli men traveling from Cambodia to the Philippines were detained and later sent back to Cambodia after two days.

The report noted that detentions usually last 24 to 48 hours but can extend when other countries refuse entry to deported Israelis. The Israeli embassy in Singapore has intervened in several cases, and Ambassador Eliyahu Vered Hazan urged citizens to avoid travel or transit through Malaysia due to growing risks and complications.