Parliament approves ban on Israel passports
The ban is to remain in place until the current hostilities affecting Palestinian populations are resolved.
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Parliament on Tuesday passed a bill prohibiting Israeli passport holders from entering the Maldives until attacks on Palestinians come to an end.
The amendment to the Immigration Act was initially introduced a year ago by Galolhu South MP Meekail Naseem of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), as a protest against actions taken by Israel. The proposed legislation originally sought to ban both Israeli citizens and dual nationals from entering the Maldives.
The Parliament’s Security Services Committee considered the bill and, during a meeting held Monday, amended the proposal based on input from the Department of Immigration. The department stated that it had no mechanism to verify dual citizenship status and recommended limiting the entry ban to individuals travelling with Israeli passports.
The committee's report, incorporating this amendment, was submitted to parliament Tuesday. The bill passed with 83 votes in favour. No votes were recorded in opposition.
As passed, the bill establishes a formal ban on individuals carrying Israeli passports from entering the Maldives. The ban is to remain in place until the current hostilities affecting Palestinian populations are resolved.
