Amidst escalating public outrage in the Maldives over the tragic attacks in Gaza, the Maldivian government has resolved to amend its laws to prohibit the entry of Israeli passport holders into the country. Home Minister Ali Ihusan announced this momentous decision at an urgent press conference held at the President's Office, which was widely reported by the news website Sun.mv.
The cabinet has unanimously decided today to initiate the essential legal amendments to swiftly enact a ban on entry into the Maldives for individuals holding Israeli passports, Minister Ihusan declared.
To expedite this process, the cabinet has established a specialized committee of ministers, according to Sun.mv. The Maldives, which welcomes over a million tourists annually, including approximately 15,000 from Israel, is taking a strong stance against the recent violence in Gaza.
Additionally, the cabinet has designated a special presidential envoy to assess areas where Palestine needs Maldives' support and to organize fundraising initiatives through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
While the cabinet has reached a consensus on banning Israeli passports, the implementation of this decision requires legal reforms, as noted by Sun.mv.
The Gaza conflict erupted on October 7th when Hamas initiated an attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 800 people and the capture of 240 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Israel responded with a large-scale counteroffensive against Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that has governed Gaza since 2007.
Tragically, the Israeli actions in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 36,000 people, including women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.
