Minister Zameer summoned to committee over delay in Israeli passport ban

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer has been summoned to the Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee regarding the request to ban arrivals to the Maldives through Israeli passports, given the country's ongoing attacks on Palestinian civilians.

In October last year, South Machangolhi MP Haitham Ahmed requested the Parliament's Foreign Committee to consider the issue of boycotting Israeli passports and tourists from the Maldives.

While the Foreign Affairs Committee was deliberating on the bill, a letter was submitted to the then President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih after the public gathered in front of the parliament demanding an immediate ban on Israeli passports in November last year.

However, the request has not been implemented since the change of government on November 17 last year, and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took office.

At a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee held today, Committee Chair and South Henveiru MP Hussain Shaheem said that the committee had requested to summon Minister Zameer during the last session of parliament last year.

However, when the third session ended and the parliament went on leave, the minister could not attend the committee due to lack of time, he said.

Therefore, it was decided to summon the Minister before the committee once again to discuss the matter.

Minister Zameer also took part in a demonstration outside the Foreign Ministry in November last year calling for a ban on Israelis visiting the Maldives.

On the same day, the Minister said that he was not aware of the committee's letter sent to President Muizzu.