Bill Proposed to Ban Israeli Passports

Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed Abdullah (Mostaa) presented a bill aimed at amending the Immigration Act, with the objective of restricting entry into the Maldives for individuals holding Israeli passports.

The proposed amendment seeks to categorise “persons entering Maldives on Israeli passports” as potential threats to national security and safety, falling under the unauthorised persons section of the Immigration Act.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Nasheed clarified that the motivation behind the bill is a condemnation of and a proactive measure against the ongoing Israeli actions in Palestine.

Drawing parallels with some member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Nasheed highlighted that similar measures have been taken globally to restrict entry for individuals with Israeli passports.

This bill follows a resolution introduced in the parliament on the 14th of the previous month, advocating for a ban on Israeli citizens. The resolution was put forward by MDP MP Saud Hussain.

The proposed legislation is a response to the documented military atrocities and war crimes of Israel, which have resulted in the loss of innocent lives and the destruction of critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, aid agencies, residential buildings, and mosques. 

The toll from Israeli actions in Gaza has reportedly exceeded 11,000 Palestinian lives, with an additional 3,000 people trapped under the debris of destroyed buildings.

As the bill enters parliamentary discussions, it remains part of an ongoing international discourse surrounding responses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.