The Maldives has suspended its decision to ban holders of Israeli passports from entering the country, a measure taken earlier due to the Gaza War. The Attorney General of the Maldives, Ahmed Usham, highlighted the challenges facing this action, noting that the decision has drawn global media attention.
In a press conference, Usham stated that a comprehensive ban on Israeli passport holders "requires further scrutiny," emphasizing that "while the government's stance remains unchanged, there are important issues that need to be addressed," according to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
Usham explained, "The biggest source of concern is that there are many Palestinians who hold Israeli passports, millions of them. What happens when we impose a comprehensive ban? These are matters that require careful consideration." He mentioned that an opposition member had previously proposed a similar measure, aiming to prohibit the entry of anyone with an Israeli passport, even if they also held another foreign passport.
Usham added, "We believe the best approach is to take the current bill and amend it during committee discussions. Therefore, the government will not introduce an additional bill."
Currently, there is no new bill on the agenda of the Maldivian parliament to impose such a ban. Earlier this month, following the announcement from the President's office regarding the intention to ban Israelis, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised its citizens to avoid traveling to the Maldives, a recommendation that also applies to those holding foreign passports. It is worth mentioning that in October and December of last year, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs also advised against visiting the Maldives due to deteriorating relations.
