The Parliament has approved an amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act, barring individuals holding Israeli passports from entering the country. The decision, supported by 83 members present at Tuesday's sitting, reflects growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and the genocide carried out by the Israeli military in Gaza, which began on 7 October 2023.
The measure establishes a clear restriction, with lawmakers affirming that it will remain in effect until Israel ceases what the parliament characterised as "inhumane acts" against the Palestinian people. While the ban applies broadly, legislators incorporated a provision allowing entry for individuals holding dual citizenship, following consultations with the Maldives Immigration.
During parliamentary discussions, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim, who represents Dhiggaru, highlighted the challenges of enforcing a blanket ban on Israeli citizens, particularly those holding passports from other countries. He pointed to concerns raised by Maldives Immigration regarding the logistical difficulties of preventing entry for dual nationals.
The amendment, he explained, was designed to reflect these considerations, balancing policy enforcement with practical implementation. In advocating for the measure, Nazim positioned the restriction within a larger effort to support Palestinian self-determination.
"A just and stable future for the Palestinian people can only be realised when they achieve full political and civil rights, including the right to self-determination and independence. This must be upheld with East Jerusalem as the capital of a sovereign Palestinian state, established in accordance with the 1967 borders," he stated. The legislative move, he asserted, contributes to that goal.
Majority Leader and Inguraidhoo lawmaker Ibrahim Falah offered a similarly firm stance, indicating that the government would uphold the prohibition as long as the conflict persists. While past parliamentary resolutions had urged an end to actions deemed inhumane, he noted, previous administrations had stopped short of explicitly barring Israeli passport holders.
The parliamentary action comes amid intensifying concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 50,983 Palestinians have been killed and 116,274 wounded since Israel launched its military offensive. The Government Media Office in Gaza has since updated the death toll to more than 61,700, citing thousands of individuals presumed dead beneath the rubble.