Maldives parliament calls for ban on Israeli tourists, products
Some believe that the President can make a decision now without changing the law.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
The People’s Majlis has called for a ban on the entry of Israeli nationals into the Maldives and a ban on the import of any goods exported from the country.
The parliament called for action in response to Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands and the ongoing genocide. The resolution was passed by a majority of 41 members present on Monday.
The resolution, moved by Saud Hussain, MP for Villingili, was debated in Parliament on October 14 and passed without any further amendments.
The main things called for in the resolution are:
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Maldives to advocate for Palestine in the international community
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Prohibition of import of Israeli citizens and goods to Maldives
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Any relations between Israel and Maldives should be severed immediately (Israel is already not a country with which Maldives has established foreign relations)
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Continue these measures until Israel withdraws from all occupied Palestinian territories and establishes peace in the Middle East
The resolution also called for an “end to Israel's aggressive attacks against the Palestinian people and its attempts to take control of Palestinian lands, to condemn the atrocities committed on the Palestinian people, and to ensure the human rights of the Palestinian people," the resolution said.
The resolution also called for “an end to Israel's aggressive attacks against the Palestinian people and its attempts to occupy Palestinian lands. We condemn the inhuman atrocities committed against the Palestinian people and call on Israel to guarantee the human rights of the Palestinian people”.
The president is responsible for the formulation and implementation of the government's foreign policy. In November, the Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee approved a proposal to make changes in foreign policy, such as banning Israelis from entering the country.
The government has said it can be done by amending the law in parliament. However, some believe that the President can make a decision now without changing the law.
The no-confidence motion against former Speaker of Parliament Mohammed Nasheed had stalled any progress on this resolution when it was submitted last October. Expressing concern over the delay, the public had gathered outside the parliament in protest.
