Committee Sets February 2025 Deadline for Review of Bill to Ban Israeli Passport Holders
The Parliament’s National Security Services (241) Committee has set a February 2025 deadline to complete its review of a bill proposed by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which seeks to amend the Immigration Act to ban entries of individuals holding Israeli passports.
The bill, which was submitted on May 29 by South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, passed through Parliament’s initial stages and was forwarded to the Security Services Committee for review on June 10 following a unanimous vote of 88 members.
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However, the committee had not convened to discuss the bill until this week, five months later, prompting concerns over the delay. During the committee’s first meeting on the bill today, Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan proposed setting a deadline for completion by February 2025, a motion seconded by North Maafannu MP Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim, leader of the government-aligned Maldives National Party (MNP). The proposal was approved unanimously by the committee members present.
Ruling party lawmakers expressed concerns during the meeting, labeling the bill as “politically motivated” and emphasizing the need for a thorough examination of the potential economic and diplomatic implications of such a decision. They also suggested that the bill should be subject to extensive consultations with various stakeholders before a final decision is made.
Meekail Ahmed Naseem, in his resolution presented on Tuesday, criticized the government’s response to the ongoing violence in Gaza, accusing the administration of failing to take significant action in the year since Israel’s military operations escalated.
His bill seeks to amend Article 8 of the Immigration Act to prohibit the entry of all Israeli passport holders, including dual citizens. However, the Attorney General’s office has raised concerns that a blanket ban could create complications and has indicated that amendments may be proposed.
