The parliament's 241 Committee (Security Services Committee) has changed the amendment bill to the Immigration Act to ban entry on Israeli passports until Israel stops its attacks against Palestinians.
The proposal was made by Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid and backed by Villimale' MP Mohamed Ismail. It was passed unanimously.
However, the committee rejected the amendment proposed by Galolhu South MP Meekail Naseem to prevent all Israeli citizens, including those with dual citizenship, from entering the Maldives.
The committee brought this change after consulting with Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham.
Meanwhile, Maldives Immigration told the committee that there was no way to find out Israeli citizens with dual passports and suggested preventing the entry of visitors who only present the Israeli passport.
The committee did not reach a decision on the recommendation.
"Who decides whether attacks have stopped?"
Meanwhile, MP Meekail Naseem, who proposed the amendment bill to the Immigration Act, told Adhadhu today that ruling party lawmakers were not sincere about banning the entry of Israeli passport holders.
Meekail said Israel has been continuously attacking Palestinians for decades and questioned how the Maldives government would determine when the attacks have stopped.
"If you want to ban it, you should ban it properly. They are attacking even when there is a ceasefire. Many people are being martyred. Who decides whether attacks have stopped? That is also something which should be determined," he said.
Meekail accused the government of making up excuses to ban the entry of Israeli passport holders.
The government promised to ban entry with Israeli passports after the genocide began in Gaza in October 2023. The decision was made on June 2, but no steps have been taken so far.
AG Usham later said a blanket ban on Israeli citizens was not advisable.
Figures released by Immigration indicate that 97 Israeli tourists visited in January, while 59 Israeli tourists visited in February this year.
Around 1435 Israeli passport holders visited last year. The total number of Israelis who have visited since October 2023 is 2196.
