MP Ahmed Haitham Advocates for Visa and Travel Ban on Israeli Visitors to the Maldives

The validity of this article as a news story is, as written, disputed. Wikinews does not publish reports on events that are not sufficiently recent. For synthesis, new details must have come to light within the past five to seven days, and the news event itself must have happened within ten days. Unless sources can be found and a news event chosen to bring this article into compliance with those requirements, the article may be deleted.

If any new details from the last five to seven days are newsworthy in their own right then an article could be written with these updates as the actual news event.

Exceptions are possible where original reporting adds significant new and newsworthy information to the article.

Note! Administrators carrying out cleanup work should take great care with items where original reporting is involved. Such should be moved to the original contributors’ userspace, and a courtesy link to it added to their talk page.

Please try to resolve objections on the discussion page, or move the article to Wikipedia or another sister project where it may be more relevant.

If any new details from the last five to seven days are newsworthy in their own right then an article could be written with these updates as the actual news event.

Exceptions are possible where original reporting adds significant new and newsworthy information to the article.

Please try to resolve objections on the discussion page, or move the article to Wikipedia or another sister project where it may be more relevant.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

In a move reflecting the Maldives’ strong condemnation of Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza, South-Machchangolhi MP Ahmed Haitham has formally called for a ban on Israeli tourists and passports. The proposal comes amidst escalating tensions in the region following Israel’s military response to Hamas’ attacks on October 7th.

MP Haitham submitted a written request to Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, urging immediate measures to restrict Israeli arrivals in the Maldives. He emphasized that the ongoing airstrikes and blockades in Gaza have led to catastrophic humanitarian consequences, including the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians, many of whom are children.

“The deliberate cutting off of food, water, and electricity for over two million Palestinians in Gaza amounts to collective punishment and a severe violation of human rights,” Haitham asserted.

Call for Action Against Israeli Tourism

The parliamentarian raised concerns about Israeli passport holders entering the Maldives, a nation with a predominantly Muslim population. He urged the Foreign Affairs Committee to evaluate the proposal to impose a complete boycott of Israeli tourists and passports.

This follows a series of measures proposed in the Maldivian parliament, including resolutions calling for sanctions and the cessation of all diplomatic relations with Israel. Haitham criticized the ongoing travel policies, stating that permitting Israeli tourists undermines the Maldives’ solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Worsening Crisis in Gaza

As of October 19, the death toll in Gaza from Israeli strikes has surged to over 2,670, according to humanitarian organizations. The situation has been exacerbated by a blockade that has deprived Gaza’s residents of basic necessities like food, water, and electricity.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also joined calls for international intervention, urging an inquiry into Israel’s alleged human rights abuses against Palestinians.

MP Haitham’s proposal aligns with widespread public sentiment in the Maldives, where citizens have consistently demonstrated support for Palestine. The parliamentarian’s initiative is expected to be reviewed by the Foreign Affairs Committee in the coming days. {{w|Target page|Display text}}.

Source