Parliament has rejected a motion calling to expedite work on banning entry into the Maldives with Israeli passports.

It was rejected with 63 votes while only 15 MPs voted in favour. Many ruling party MPs declared during the debate that they did not support the motion.

The motion was proposed by Galolhu Uthuru MP Mohamed Ibrahim. It called on the government to expedite work on banning entry into the Maldives with Israeli passports.

Ruling party MPs expressed concern that a ban on Israeli passports may adversely affect the Maldives' tourism industry.

"In terms of religion, we are siblings with the Palestinians. But the Arabs surrounding Palestine are siblings to them in terms of family, ethnicity and religion. So we must think about our people when we decide to take an action that those who are richer, more affluent and closer to the Palestinians haven't taken," Thinadhoo Uthuru MP Saudhullah Hilmy said.

"The situation in our country does not allow us to confront any other country or any other people."

Other ruling party MPs spoke about the Muslims in Israel and how a passport ban could affect them.

Baarashu MP Ibrahim Shujau warned that countries allied with Israel may take action against the Maldives if a passport ban is approved.

The bill on banning entry into the Maldives with Israeli passports was introduced to the Parliament in June by Galolhu Dhekunu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem from the opposition.