Maldives on Monday took a step closer towards banning Israeli passport holders from entering the globally renowned tourist destination after a Parliamentary committee signed off on the legislative amendment.
The government had decided to amend laws to restrict entry for individuals holding Israeli passports in June 2024 and constituted a special ministerial committee to oversee its implementation.
Shortly after, an opposition lawmaker moved an amendment to the Immigration Act seeking to bar the entry of Israeli passport holders which was unprecedentedly backed by the ruling party controlled Parliament.
However, the proposed amendment had been stuck in deliberations at the Parliamentary National Security Services (241) committee since as members explored the economic and diplomatic fallout of such a ban.
The committee during its sit-down on Monday, tweaked the proposed amendment to deny request of entry on Israeli passports until the Israeli security forces ceases its current onslaught on Palestinians in Gaza.
The revised amendment however will exempt Israelis with dual citizenship provided the request for entry into Maldives does not come on their Israeli passport.
The committee by its majority signed off on the revised amendment which will now pass onto the Parliament floor for a vote.
The ban, if passed, will mark the proactive stance by Maldives, reflecting its condemnation of extremist human rights violations by Israel against the Palestinian population.
The government has continuously aimed to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and send a clear message of disapproval regarding the ongoing situation.
The Maldives has long been a staunch advocate for the rights of Palestinians, consistently supporting their cause on the international stage. The nation has been vocal about its support for an independent Palestinian state for many years. Since President Dr Mohamed Muizzu took office, these efforts have intensified, with the Maldives representing Palestine in various international forums.