By Mario Labrador
Male, Maldives – The Maldives has officially banned individuals holding Israeli passports from entering the country, following President Mohamed Muizzu’s ratification of the Third Amendment to the Immigration Act.
The announcement, made Tuesday, signals a strong condemnation of Israel’s actions in Palestine and a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
According to a statement released by the Maldives President’s office, the amendment to the Immigration Act (Law No. 01/2007) was passed by the People’s Majlis earlier today. The statement explicitly states that the new provision prohibits the entry of Israeli passport holders into the Maldives.
“The ratification reflects the Government’s firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” the statement read.
The Government of Maldives has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and its commitment to protecting the rights of the Palestinian people. The nation has consistently advocated for accountability regarding violations of international law and has been vocal in condemning Israel’s actions on various international platforms.
President Muizzu has repeatedly emphasized the Maldives’ principled stance, advocating for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and international legal norms.
While the Maldives stands alone so far in implementing such a ban, sources indicate that several other nations across the globe are reportedly considering following suit, potentially escalating diplomatic pressure on Israel. The names of these countries have not been officially released, but the possibility of widespread adoption of similar measures raises questions about the future of international relations and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
