Members of the public gathered this morning to protest the failure of the 87-member parliament they elected to bar Israelis from visiting the Maldives, calling for an immediate ban on the Israel passport.
Hearing the protesters, some MPs came out and tried to talk to them.
"Don't come looking for votes without doing this. There aren't that many days left for you to come to us," a protester called loudly as former Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and MPs of his Democrats party emerged from the parliament compound.
Protesters became further angered by the remarks of the MPs. Reminding MPs that they are not equal to members of the public, the protesters called for a resolution currently before parliament to be passed.
Protest outside parliament for Israeli tourist ban. -- Photo: Abdulla Iyaan/ Adhadhu
"Not here, you need to go to the Foreign Ministry or the President's Office," said Maafannu Medhu MP Ibrahim Rasheed, prompting protesters to urge him not to politicize the issue, which they said was a humanitarian problem and reminded him that parliament could take action.
After that, MPs from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which controls a majority in parliament, also came out.
Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam spoke to protesters at length and assured that MPs would "do everything possible." But protesters said they do not see any action.
Hulhumale' MP Ali Niyaz also spoke in the same vein and invited protesters to meet the new Speaker Mohamed Aslam.
At the meeting, 12 of the protesters spoke to the Speaker of Parliament and shared their concerns.
Protesters enter parliament to meet with the Speaker. -- Photo: Abdulla Iyaan/ Adhadhu
The protesters called for banning the Israeli passport in the Maldives, criminalizing support of Israel within the Maldives, using harsher language than at present to condemn Israel's genocide and pressuring powerful nations to take action against Israel.
In response, Aslam said parliament would expedite all possible efforts.
But parliament's current workload was heavy due to the supplementary budget and Friday's swearing-in ceremony for the new President, he noted.
Protesters remained outside parliament after the meeting, calling on MPs to proceed with approving the ban at the speed that other matters are concluded for political purposes.
Foreign relations committee. -- Photo: Majlis
Later in the day, parliament's foreign relations committee passed a motion to advise the government to ban Israeli tourists from visiting the Maldives.
The ban was previously proposed by two MPs.
Villingili MP Saud Hussain submitted a resolution to the effect, after which Machchangoalhi Dhekunu MP Ahmed Haitham wrote a letter urging the committee to look into the issue and to make a decision.
The President has the constitutional authority to determine foreign policy, Addu Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef noted at today's committee meeting, proposing the committee's decision to be sent to the government as a recommendation.
Supporting Shareef's proposal, Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem noted that Israel's government has issued a travel advisory urging Isareli tourists to not visit the Maldives.
Maldivians do not wish to welcome Israeli tourists and circulate income earned from them in the domestic economy, Saleem said, suggesting that the recommendation should advise the government to shape foreign policy accordingly.
Other MPs on the committee supported the proposal.
Henveiru Dhekunu MP Hussain Shameem (Andhun Hussain), chair of the committee, said he would instruct the Secretariat to compile a report reflecting the wishes of MPs.
A report on the decision made by MPs after reviewing bills and other matters that come before committees is required by parliamentary procedures, after which it is sent to the floor for a vote.
A decision by parliament is passed if a majority votes in favor in the floor vote.
Several MPs also spoke against Israel during a debate on the supplementary budget at today's sitting and expressed concern over the delay in putting the resolution on the Israeli tourist ban on the agenda.
The protest outside parliament calling for a ban on Israeli tourists was staged to coincide with the anniversary of Palestine's Independence Day on November 15, 1988.
More than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed over the past month in Israel's genocide to take over Palestinian land.
