Consulting with "big countries" before banning entry of Israeli passport holders raises questions about the independence of the Maldives, Galolhu Uthuru MP Meekail Naseem has said.
"I thought Maldives was an independent state. I am realizing, only now, that we need to consult with 'big countries' to determine who can and cannot enter the Maldives!" he said in a post on X.
"It's a very wrong statement. He is actually saying the country has no independence. It doesn't match what they said before," Meekail said in criticism of Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah.
Earlier on Monday, Falah said at the Parliament Committee on Security Service (241 Committee) that Maldives must consult with Palestine, Arab countries and "big countries" before banning entry of Israeli passport holders.
He also characterized the bill on banning entry of Israeli passport holders, proposed by Meekail from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), as intended to politically benefit MDP.
The bill was proposed on June 10. A few days later, the government announced a decision to ban entry of Israeli passport holders. However, the government-controlled Parliament has been delaying work on the bill.
The opposition and public have raised concerns and criticized the government for the delays.
