Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ahmed Nazim has called on the parliament to consider the potential economic loss that banning Israel passports may cause, and to ensure a responsible decision is reached.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ahmed Nazim has called on the parliament to consider the potential economic loss that banning Israel passports may cause, and to ensure a responsible decision is reached.
Ban on Israel passports was proposed by South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem from opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) as the first bill of the 20th People's Majlis.
The bill calls for an amendment to the Immigration Act where Israel passport holders, even dual citizens, be banned from entry into the Maldives in light of the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
Nazim expressed confidence in the parliament's wisdom when coming to a decision on a matter such as this. He asserted that Maldives has always been and should always remain neutral, and with the nation's best interests in mind.
Nazim said that any decision by the parliament must be in the best interests of the people.
"It shouldn't be as other world powers want it. Things must be decided in the best interests of the Maldives' patriotism and its people. That is how it will be decided. This is also not exempt from that," Nazim said.
Nazim said that it needs to appreciated that patriotism and love for the nation are two separate things. Love for the nation is having pride in decisions made by the government, he said, while patriotism is being proud of the nation regardless of what it does and being content with it.
"As I see it, being responsible is not reaching decisions while blindfolded. Loving the nation is not creating enemies for the nation. And it isn't to say our decision is better than decisions by other countries," Nazim said.
"As I see it, the decision we make must be one that does not cause us loss in light of our independence, security and economy."
Nazim emphasized the importance of a parliament committee conducting a full assessment of the effects that banning Israel passports would have on the Maldives.
He said that even now there are individuals who have made bookings to visit the Maldives, and that cancellation of these bookings would be a matter of high concern for resorts.
"Hence, I strongly urge that this be assessed in all necessary angles, whether it be economy, security or safety related, in a committee, and that the committee reaches a decision at the earliest possible," Nazim said.
A vote will be taken in parliament today on support for the bill on banning Israel passport submitted by MDP.
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