The Parliament Committee on Security Services (241 Committee) has approved extending work on the bill to ban Israeli passports until February next year.
The bill was proposed five months ago by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Thulhadhoo MP Abdul Hannaan Abubakuru proposed to extend the work until February 2025 in order to research the matter. Maafannu Uthuru MP Mohamed Nazim supported his proposal.
The bill, which was introduced in June by Galolhu Dhekunu MP Meekail Naseem to amend the Immigration Act to prevent people with Israeli passports from entering the Maldives, was accepted by the Parliament on June 10. The committee began work on the bill five months after it was passed and referred to the committee.
The opposition and the public have been criticizing the government and the government's supermajority in Parliament for the delay in the bill.
Despite having a supermajority in Parliament, the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) issued a statement on October 16 calling to expedite work on the bill. MP Meekail described the statement as an attempt by the PNC to mock the public.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government announced on June 2 that Israeli passport holders will be banned from entering the Maldives.
Last month, Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham said the bill proposed by the opposition needs some amendments.
"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.
