Maldives President Demands Accountability for Gaza, Rejects 'Principles for Profit' in Global Response

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has issued a scathing rebuke of Israel's actions in Gaza and lambasted the international community for its perceived ineffectiveness, asserting that international law must be applied equally to all countries to retain any meaning.

In written responses to questions from an Turkiye based Anadolu Agency reporter, President Dr Muizzu underscored the Maldives' unwavering solidarity with Palestine and called for decisive action against Israel.

Emphasising the foundational principle of international law, he urged global powers to move beyond words of condemnation and ensure the impartial application of international law.

"Israel must be forced to account through political pressure, sanctions, and restrictions so that it understands that such crimes will not be tolerated,” he said.

The President articulated a vision of true sovereignty not measured by a country's size or military might, but “by the will to remain true to one's conscience even under pressure." He stressed that small states possess the freedom to speak with moral clarity because they are not beholden to the interests of great powers.”

Underscoring his government's steadfast commitment, President Dr Muizzu detailed concrete measures taken by the island nation in the fight for Plaestinian rights.

"We have banned Israeli passport holders from entering the Maldives. We have joined the International Court of Justice case against Israel. We will continue to call for an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We will continue to support Palestine's full membership in the United Nations (UN),” he detailed.

He affirmed that the Maldives would actively participate in international platforms to ensure that the Palestinian cause is never forgotten and that justice is served.

"Our duty is not complete until Palestine is free."

President Dr acknowledged that institutions like the United Nations (UN) and international courts are not inherently weak but "are weakened by powerful states not allowing them to function as intended, often due to "commercial or security interests."

"We absolutely reject the idea that principles can be sacrificed for profit," stressing that leadership is tested by its stance in such critical momentum “ he declared,

The President highlighted that decisions made by a small country like the Maldives against Israel are "more than just a symbol; it is a declaration of principle."

Even if the Maldives stands alone, its stance will not change, he affirmed, but stressed the "cumulative effect" if more nations take similar decisive positions.

Muizzu strongly rejected silence in the face of genocide, asserting, "If financial gain or political convenience outweighs the lives of innocent men, women and children, then we, as a global community, have lost our moral compass." He warned that those who traded "justice for advantage when courage was needed" would be remembered as those who "stood by oppression."

The decision to ban Israeli passport holders, President Dr Muizzu clarified, was not made lightly but was a deliberate act to align policy with a commitment to justice, its impact measured by its example of leadership. He lamented that accountability for Israel's crimes remains elusive because "too many states have abandoned moral clarity and prioritized political interests."

The President also reiterated that the Maldives will continue to raise Palestine's voice and stand with the Palestinian people on every platform until justice and freedom are achieved.