ICJ Advisory Opinion is a victory for Palestine: President

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has welcomed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion that Israel should withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories as a significant victory for the people of Palestine.

ICJ issued an advisory opinion declaring that the State of Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful. It stated that Israel is obligated to end its unlawful presence in these territories as swiftly as possible, cease all new settlement activities immediately, and evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

In a post on the social media platform X, President Muizzu expressed his support for the ICJ's advisory opinion regarding the legal consequences of Israel's policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. He called on Israel to halt its unlawful settlement policies immediately and make reparations for the damage caused by its exploitative and discriminatory actions.

The President's post also reiterated the Maldives' call for the recognition of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Maldives has consistently advocated for an independent state of Palestine and does not maintain foreign relations with Israel due to the Israeli attacks on Palestine.

Additionally, the government has introduced a bill to ban Israeli passports in the Maldives in response to the ongoing attacks.