"Maldives will not stop advocating for the rights of Palestine"

Maldives will not stop advocating for the rights of Palestine, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives.

The Ministry stated this in their statement made public, condemning the action of the Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on 03 January.

Foreign Ministry's statement went on to highlight that this action of the Israeli National Security Minister is against all the international laws and regulations and the agreements that have been signed.

With his visit, the Israeli National Security Minister has signaled his intent to champion an extreme form of Zionist nationalism and religious Jewish fundamentalism that threatens any hope for peace.

His visit caused an immediate political storm in the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Highlighting that this action would lead to more disruption in the middle east, the Ministry stated that Maldives will be condemning this act and supporting the work of Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), at the United Nations.

The UN Security Council on 05 January, called an emergency meeting over the visit and its impact. A statement of the OIC was read at the meeting.

Additionally, a debate on the issue is scheduled for 18 January, and the Maldivian Foreign Ministry states that the country would be taking part in the debate.

Maldivian Foreign Ministry highlighted that the Maldives has always been advocating for the independence and rights of Palestine, and that it will continue to do so. The Ministry stated that the Maldives will not back down in advocating for the rights of Palestine.

The mosque, which Jews regard as the site of their two ancient temples, is Islam's third holiest shrine.

According to a 2014 agreement mediated by -John Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States and based on a centuries-old understanding, “Al-Aqsa is for Muslims to pray and for all others to visit.”