Attorney General Ahmed Usham has said that the bill on banning Israeli passports, proposed by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), needs some amendments.
The cabinet decided on June 2, 2024, to make the necessary legal changes for banning the Israeli passport over Israel’s ongoing genocide against the Muslim brothers and sisters of Palestine.
However, MP Meekail Naseem from MDP proposed a bill to amend the law three days before the government decision.
The proposed amendment to the Immigration Act says that holders of Israeli passports (including dual citizens) will not be allowed to enter the Maldives The bill has been stalled at the committee stage.
AG Usham told Adhadhu that a new bill was not introduced with the government's decision because the rules of parliament do not allow for it. However, he said the AG's office would cooperate in the work on the existing bill.
"Some amendments need to be brought to the current bill. The Parliament should proceed by amending the bill in accordance with the decisions taken by the Cabinet," Usham said.
The cabinet approved to prevent Israelis from entering Maldives, but 10 days later Usham said imposing a “blanket ban” to bar entry to the Maldives for any Israeli passport holder should be considered.
The government's Chief Spokesperson Heena Waleed blamed the Parliament's recess for the delay in banning Israeli passports. However, Parliament went into recess nearly three months after the cabinet's decision.
Meanwhile, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed recently said he does not believe banning Israeli passports was overdue.
The opposition alleges that the decision is being delayed due to pressure from Western powers. They note the government's close relationship with the United States.
