File picture - Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. - Photo: AP Photo
NEW DELHI: The Maldives, a strong supporter of Palestine, has decided to bar entry to Israeli passport holders amid growing public outrage in the island nation against the genocidal war the Zionist state is waging in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, since October.
President Mohamed Muizzu, at a Cabinet meeting, decided to amend the country's laws to ban individuals with Israeli passports from entering the country, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihsaan announced at a news conference held at the President's Office on Sunday (June 2) afternoon.
"The decision marks a proactive stance by Maldives, reflecting its condemnation of extremist human rights violations by Israel against the Palestinian population," state media PSM reported.
A committee that includes the homeland security minister, Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, Islamic Affairs Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed and Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal will oversee the ban process, the report added.
The Cabinet also decided to initiate discussions with Islamic countries to raise support for Palestine and appoint a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs.
"The President further decided to set up a fundraising campaign to assist our brothers and sisters in Palestine with the help of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and to conduct a nationwide rally under the slogan 'Falastheenaa Eku Dhivehin,' which translates to 'Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine' to show support," a government statement said. - Bernama
