Maldives will maintain relations with all nations except Israel, says president

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the Maldives will maintain diplomatic relations with all countries except Israel, reaffirming the government's position on the conflict in Palestine.

Speaking at the official Independence Day ceremony on Sunday, the President said the Maldives' foreign policy is based on protecting the country's interests while maintaining relations with countries that support those objectives.

"Therefore, the Maldives will maintain relations with every country in the world — except Israel," the President said.

He said the government's position was based on the support of the Maldivian people for the Palestinian people and Israel's actions in Palestine.

The President said the Maldives would not recognise Israel while those actions continue and while the current foreign policy remains in place.

"That is why we proudly decided to prevent holders of Israeli passports from coming to this country to enjoy our beautiful beaches and waters. And we will maintain that stance," he said.

President Muizzu also criticised the foreign policy pursued by previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administrations.

He said previous MDP governments had maintained what he described as a "pro-Israel foreign policy" and had distanced the Maldives from Arab and Islamic countries.

"We will maintain close relations with Arab Islamic nations and other beneficial countries — whether they are near or far, small or large," he said.

The President described the government's approach as the "Maldives First Policy".

He said successive governments had pursued different foreign policy approaches over the years, including periods in which the country's foreign policy had been influenced by external interests.

President Muizzu said his administration would continue to pursue a foreign policy that places the interests of the Maldives first.