maldives

CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Maldives Postpones Banning Israelis Citing Concerns Over Blanket Law Keeping Out Arab-Israelis or Palestinians with Israeli Passports

According to Ahmed Usham, the Maldives’ attorney general, the country is reconsidering its decision to ban Israeli nationals from entering the country due to fears that the controversial proposal as it stands could keep out Palestinians.

“The biggest concern is that there are many Palestinians with Israeli passports, millions of them. What happens when we impose a blanket ban?”

– Ahmed Usham, Attorney General, Maldives

According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), more than 2 million Arabs live in the Jewish state, totaling over 21% of the overall population.

According to recent polls, however, most Arab citizens of Israel do not identity as Palestinians.

Still, Usham highlighted that while the government’s position on banning Israelis remains intact, the likelihood of a blanket ban also impacting those with Israeli passports who are Arab Muslim or Palestinian creates issues warranting more examination.

“These are matters that need careful consideration.”

– Ahmed Usham, Attorney General, Maldives

Earlier this month, the office of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu announced that all Israeli passport holders will be banned from entering the country.

A week later, the Maldives parliament passed a bill amending the immigration legislation to ban entry to both Israeli passport holders and Israelis with dual citizenship, even if they enter the nation with a different passport.

It was accepted and forwarded to a committee for review.

However, the government has chosen to amend the bill to address the concerns raised by Usham.

Although Muizzu’s party has a supermajority in the Maldives’ legislature, there were a few dissenting voices, including businessman and legislator Qasim Ibrahim, who accused the bill of targeting Jews.

“When we decide that a person with Israeli nationality can’t come to the Maldives, that means we’re talking about deciding that Jews can’t come. Therefore, as they are people who have believed in prophets of a religion revealed by Allah, we need to think very deeply about the chance of us doing such a thing, from that perspective. We need to think about that very carefully.”

– Former Minister of Home Affairs of Maldives

The government’s apparent decision to make an exception to the exception for Arab Israelis, who are predominantly Muslim, may add validity to Ibrahim’s fears.

Jews account for around 73% of Israel’s population.

The Maldives, noted for its pristine beaches, has drawn Israeli tourists, mostly surfers.

In 2023, more than 11,000 Israelis visited the country.

In light of the travel ban, Israel’s foreign ministry has recommended Israelis avoid the Maldives.

“For citizens already in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, because if they find themselves in distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to assist.”

– Israel’s foreign ministry statement

Israel has not maintained diplomatic relations with the Maldives — a chain of islands that require its citizens and politicians to rigorously adhere to Sunni Islam — since 1974.

As Israeli tourism grew, the Maldives forbade direct flights between Malé, the capital, and Tel Aviv.

The Maldives is not the only country that has banned Israeli tourists.

Israeli passport holders have also been banned from entering Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen.

In response to the Maldives’ ban, the Israeli Embassy in India encouraged Israeli tourists to visit Indian beaches instead, tweeting,

“Since the Maldives is no longer accepting Israelis, here are some beautiful and amazing Indian beaches where Israeli tourists are warmly welcomed and treated with utmost hospitality.”

NEWS SOURCE & LINKS:
Algemeiner

Maldives Postpones Banning Israelis CONCERNS BLANKET LAW KEEPING OUT ARAB-ISRAELIS ISRAELI PASSPORTS | Christian Breaking News!