The US State Department summoned Malaysia’s ambassador in Washington after statements by the Malaysian leadership about the possible deportation of Israeli citizens, Reuters reports.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had earlier said that the country’s authorities intend to expel all Israeli citizens if an investigation confirms their participation in the Network School educational program in the state of Johor.

Malaysia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and does not recognize it as a state.

Following Anwar Ibrahim’s statements, a group of US congressmen appealed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reconsider economic cooperation with Malaysia and suspend some joint defense programs.