Khaleel fails to explain why Israeli passports have not been banned yet

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has failed to provide a clear answer regarding why Israeli passports have not been banned in the Maldives yet.

This was in connection to a written question submitted to the foreign minister by MP for North Galolhu constituency Mohamed Ibrahim.

In his question, he stated that according to Article 7(d) of the Maldives Foreign Service Act, it is the minister's responsibility to advise the president and implement the president's decisions regarding recognizing foreign states, withdrawing recognition, establishing diplomatic relations with foreign countries, and severing existing diplomatic relations. However, the decision made on 2 June 2024 to ban entry with Israeli passports has not been implemented. The lawmaker inquired why Israeli passports have not been banned to date.

In response, Minister Khaleel said that on 2 June 2024, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decided to ban entry with Israeli passports based on the advice of the Cabinet of Ministers. He wrote in his response shared with the People’s Majlis, that amendments to the Maldives Immigration Act are needed to implement this decision. Speaker of Parliament read out Khaleel's response at the parliament floor.

He also stated that the proposed amendment is currently at the committee stage in parliament, for review. The minister said that once the amendment becomes law, the government's decision to ban entry with Israeli passports will be implemented.

However, the minister did not mention any efforts by himself or the ministry to expedite this process. He also did not explain why the work is stalled at the parliament, despite the government having a full majority.

In his response, the minister highlighted that the government continuously advocates for the rights of Palestinians. He said they are raising their voice against the atrocities committed against Palestine in various international forums. He also stated that efforts are being made to achieve independence for Palestine in collaboration with Arab and Islamic countries.

Khaleel noted that it has long been the policy of the government of Maldives to support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state where its people can live in peace, and that the Maldives continues to maintain this policy. In addition to raising its voice in international forums, he said the Maldives is participating in some important Palestine-related cases proceeding at courts. He included details of some such cases in his response.

Further, he revealed that the administration is working to provide financial and other assistance to the Palestinian people.