Nasheed rejects president's claims that MDP is pro-Israel

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has rejected President Mohamed Muizzu's claim that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supports Israel, saying the party stands with the people of Palestine.

Nasheed, who serves as chairperson of the MDP, made the remarks on Wednesday night during a meeting at the party's headquarters in response to comments made by President Muizzu during the Independence Day state function.

During his address, President Muizzu said successive MDP administrations had pursued a pro-Israel foreign policy and had distanced the Maldives from Arab and Islamic countries.

Responding to the remarks, Nasheed said the actions of the Israeli government could not be ignored and rejected suggestions that the MDP supports Israel.

"Who would support Israel? With the scenes being shown on televisions, the inhumane actions of the Israeli government—who could forget that? Who would support Israel?" Nasheed said.

"MDP will not. MDP, too, will not support Israel."

He added that the party would continue to support the Palestinian people.

"We will always stand upright alongside the people of Palestine who are constantly fighting for their freedom," he said.

Nasheed also accused President Muizzu of using his Independence Day address to criticise the opposition rather than focusing on the occasion.

"This gentleman came to address the citizens of the Maldives on our Independence Day regarding independence. However, standing at the podium, he completely forgot that the state emblem was affixed to it," Nasheed said.

"He completely forgot that standing before him were the heads of the police and defence forces, as well as state dignitaries. He simply went all out and unloaded on MDP."

President Muizzu's remarks formed part of a wider criticism of previous MDP governments, during which he argued that their foreign policy had strengthened relations with Israel at the expense of ties with Arab and Islamic countries.