The government has confirmed that efforts to implement a ban on Israeli passports in the Maldives will be accelerated during the upcoming parliamentary term.
Speaking at a press conference, Chief Spokesperson at the President's Office Heena Waleedh revealed that Maldives is a country which advocates for the independence and sovereignty of Palestine. She emphasised that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has been calling for the independence of Palestine on various platforms, reiterating that the Maldives' stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict remains unchanged.
Furthermore, Heena stated that funds raised from the telethon, held under the recommendation of the government, has been deposited to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) account. Additionally, she noted that the Maldives' first shipment of canned fish to Palestine is planned for September 15. The shipment, consisting of 7,800 cases, is expected to reach Palestinians within 40 days, with the assistance of the Egyptian Red Crescent and the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
The proposed legislation to ban Israeli passports from entering the Maldives is currently under review by the Parliament's Committee on National Security Services. Attorney General Ahmed Usham indicated that the bill, which aims to impose a comprehensive ban, is undergoing further amendments at a committee level. He added that the committee is working diligently to bring the necessary changes to the legislation.