The government has refused to give a direct response or clarify the reason for not banning Israeli passports.

Responding to a question by a journalist at the press conference held at the President’s Office on Wednesday, Chief Spokesperson at the office Heena Waleed asserted that the Maldives has been the most vocal in supporting the people of Palestine and their rights, so far.

Heena added that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in particular strongly condemns the genocide in Palestine, and strongly opposes it.

She also said that the president has also spoken about it at the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which recently wrapped up in Antigua and Barbuda.

Highlighting that the country’s stand has not changed, Heena stated that the Maldives will always advocate for an independent state of Palestine.

Even after six months since coming into power, the incumbent administration has not taken a stand on banning Israeli passports.

A petition was filed with the incumbent administration, demanding to ban Israelis from entering the country as well as to implement a passport ban in the wake of the brutal attacks by Israel on the innocent civilians of Gaza.

However, the government is yet to give a clear answer in connection with the issue.

At pressers, Heena has continually been saying that Maldives has always taken a stand in favor of the rights of Palestinians and that the incumbent administration has been making strong statements regarding the denial of human rights of the Palestinian people.

However, she has failed to give a clear response to questions posed by journalists regarding banning Israeli passports.

The spokesperson had however, said that efforts were underway to seek what can be done by the time the new People’s Majlis tenure begins. The new People’s Majlis tenure began on May 28.

This is to involve research and consultations with all stakeholders with whom in-depth discussions need to be held, for the government to take any stand that needs to be taken in favor of the Palestinian people.

Heena earlier revealed that any stand the government takes, will be in favor of Palestinians.

Even when repeatedly questioned about the process of banning Israeli passports, Heena revealed that they were holding extensive discussions with relevant stakeholders on whatever needs to be done and what stand needs to be taken to do whatever needs to be done for the rights of the Palestinian people.

The People’s Majlis passed a resolution seeking to ban the import of all Israeli goods as well as the entry of Israeli nationals into the country, on 1 April 2024.

The bill seeking to defend the rights of Palestinian citizens, was passed at the parliament sitting held on April 1 and MP for Villingili constituency Saud Hussain proposed the bill back on 11 October 2023, calling to condemn Israel’s illegal occupation and inhumane attacks and genocide of the innocent Palestinian civilians, for an immediate ceasefire, to ensure the human rights of Palestinians are upheld, on Israeli armed forces to evacuate from the lands illegally snatched from the Palestinian people and demanding to recognize Palestine as an independent state.

During the vote taken on the motion, a majority of 41 lawmakers voted in favor of passing the resolution.

After receiving the bill, the parliamentary standing committee on foreign relations engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The committee then decided to place the resolution on the floor for a final decision on the matter.

The resolution aimed to let the world know the Maldives stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

It calls to end Israel’s military aggression against Palestinians, stop endeavors to take control of their lands, to condemn the vile genocide of Palestinian people in the strongest terms, to ensure the human rights of the Palestinian people are upheld, to sever any ties with Israel as well as to ban the import of any goods from Israel to the island nation.

It also pushes for the banning of Israeli tourists from the Maldives.

Maldives has and always will stand in steadfast solidarity with the people of Palestine, in their pursuit for an independent sovereign state of Palestine.

Maldives continues to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire of the crimes of genocide being committed by Israel.