Housing Minister Outlines Safeguards Against Israeli Ownership in Ras Malé 

Housing Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib has proposed safeguards to prevent Israeli nationals and Israeli-controlled entities from buying or financing properties under the Ras Malé project, amid public concerns that the development could facilitate an Israeli presence in the Maldives.

In a LinkedIn post, Muththalib said the proposed measures would exclude Israeli nationals and Israeli-controlled entities from participating as buyers, beneficial owners, shareholders, financiers or sales agents. He also proposed requiring buyers to declare all nationalities they currently hold or have previously held, with false declarations potentially resulting in the cancellation of leases and forfeiture of properties and purchase payments.

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The minister’s comments come amid criticism from opposition members and political figures who have alleged that the Ras Malé project could pave the way for an Israeli community to be established in the Maldives.

Muththalib rejected comparisons between the project and Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, arguing that there was no precedent for such settlements being established through foreign purchases of holiday homes or leasehold properties in a sovereign country that controls its own borders, immigration and land.

He said the Maldives’ ban on entry using Israeli passports, introduced in April 2025, would remain in place. However, he acknowledged that the restriction applies to Israeli passports rather than Israeli citizens who hold other nationalities, allowing some dual nationals to travel using alternative passports.

Muththalib said the proposed nationality screening measures would address this gap and strengthen existing protections. He also proposed repeating the checks whenever a property is transferred and placing limits on the proportion of units that any single nationality or individual could own.

The minister further said property ownership would not grant permanent residency or citizenship. Foreign investors would remain subject to existing immigration rules, including the corporate residence visa scheme, while applications would be subject to the proposed nationality screening.

Under the proposed safeguards, the underlying land would remain state-owned, with buyers holding leasehold rights rather than freehold ownership. Muththalib said buyers would not be able to renew leases indefinitely, while the government would seek to give Maldivians priority to purchase a share of the housing units in every phase, with payments made in Maldivian rufiyaa.

The minister said the Maldives could maintain its support for Palestine while pursuing economic development, arguing that greater economic independence would reduce the country’s reliance on foreign assistance and the expectations that may accompany it.

The Ras Malé project, formally known as the Maldives Waterfront and Marina, is being developed through an agreement with UAE-based Eagle Hills. The government signed the commercial terms agreement on 21 September for a multi-phase development valued at more than USD 20 billion, planned across approximately 500 hectares of reclaimed land at Fushi Dhiggaru Lagoon.

The proposed development is expected to include residential, commercial and tourism facilities. The agreement has also drawn public scrutiny over land lease terms, the state’s expected revenue, foreign ownership and the project’s implications for national sovereignty.

Muththalib has previously said the agreement would not grant foreign buyers freehold ownership of land or automatic residency rights, and that property transfers would remain subject to government approval.