“The Malaysian government has relaxed its restrictions for religious visits to Israel, lifting the quota on the number of pilgrims and allowing travel to anyone for up to 21 days at a time,” the New Straits Times reports.
The daily reports that a letter was issued by the Prime Minister’s Office and sent to the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM). The letter states, among other things, that Christians can visit Israel as often as they want, and travel anywhere, but is subjected to approval from the authorities there.
Before this, Christian pilgrims to Israel were limited to 700 Malaysians a year, with only 40 from one church, and a stay of only up to 10 days.
The pilgrims must also be at least 18 years of age, and they were only allowed to visit Israel once in three years.
The new guidelines are:
- There is no quota on religious visits to Israel
- There is no minimum age limit for visitors
- There is no restriction on how many times a pilgrim can visit Israel
- Each visit is limited to a maximum duration of 21 days
- There is no limit on the number of members in a tour group
- There is no restriction on the places to visit in Israel, as long as it is approved by the Israeli authorities
- Visitors will be responsible for their own safety while in Israel
- The guidelines can be changed subject to the security situation in Israel
Please note that the Malaysian government will not allow anyone to visit Israel if there is a security situation in Israel.
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