MDP is not a party that will ever support Israel; we will always stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle for freedom: Nasheed

Former President and Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Mohamed Nasheed, has stated that the MDP does not support Israel and will always stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle for independence.

Speaking at an MDP rally held Wednesday night, President Nasheed stated that no Maldivian citizen would support the inhumane acts being committed by Israel against the innocent people of Palestine, noting that these atrocities are constantly broadcast on television. He further reaffirmed that the MDP would always stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

President Nasheed made these remarks in response to comments made by President Muizzu during the official Independence Day ceremony held last Sunday. President Muizzu leveled serious allegations against the MDP, claiming that during its administrations, the party maintained a pro-Israel policy while distancing the country from Islamic nations. Criticizing President Muizzu’s statements, President Nasheed noted that while the President took to the podium on Independence Day to attack the MDP, he seemed to have forgotten that he was standing at a podium bearing the official state emblem. Nasheed further remarked that President Muizzu appeared to have disregarded the presence of senior police and military leadership, as well as high-ranking state officials, when he directed such rhetoric toward the MDP.

Former President Nasheed has expressed grave concern over recent remarks by President Muizzu, which he claims could encourage Iranian aggression against Islamic and Gulf nations that maintain close ties with the Maldives. Highlighting the potential risks to the nation, Nasheed warned that such rhetoric could jeopardize the country's strategic interests. Nasheed further asserted that President Muizzu’s comments, which appear to incite harm against key development partners such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, represent a significant disservice to the Maldivian state and its people.

President Dr. Muizzu stated back in March, in reference to Iran, that they should launch a full-scale bombing campaign. He urged them to continue the bombardment until total destruction was achieved. And where exactly was he suggesting these bombs be dropped? On our fellow brotherly Islamic nations—on Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and the other Gulf states.

Mohamed Nasheed

Former President Nasheed stated that few nations have contributed as significantly to the Maldives' development as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. He warned that the repercussions for the Maldives would be severe following President Muizzu’s rhetoric, which he characterized as a call for those nations to be targeted and destroyed. Nasheed further criticized President Muizzu for making these remarks while the U.S. Special Envoy to Asia was visiting the Maldives. He condemned the President's decision to cancel a scheduled meeting with the envoy, opting instead to use the official President’s Office podium to deliver such a message.