The parliament has passed the amendment bill to the Immigration Act to ban Israeli passports after paving the way for Israeli citizens to enter the Maldives.
The bill was proposed by MP Meekail Naseem last year. It was stalled for months in the committee before changes were brought to allow the entry of Israeli citizens.
The bill was approved today on the parliament floor to allow Israeli citizens with dual passports to enter the Maldives and to allow entry on Israeli passports when attacks stop.
It was passed with the votes of 83 MPs. There were no votes against the bill and some MPs from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) voted in favour.
Israel has been attacking the Palestinian people since it occupied Palestinian land 77 years ago. The bill passed today does not specify who will determine when or whether attacks have stopped.
Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MP Ahmed Azaan criticized the changes to the bill that allow all Israelis to enter the Maldives when attacks stop.
He expressed concern that those who have been involved in inhuman acts, especially those in the Israeli military and government or those in positions in the oppressive state, will also be allowed to enter the Maldives.
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.
Attorney General (AG) Ahmed 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.
