Muizzu Reaffirms Maldives’ Support for Palestinian Statehood on Pre-1967 Borders

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed the Maldives’ support for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In a message on X marking the 38th anniversary of Palestine’s declaration of independence, Muizzu said the Maldives’ support for Palestinian statehood was unconditional and that its position on the borders and capital remained unchanged.

He extended his greetings to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Mustafa, and the Palestinian people. He ended his message with the slogan, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Palestine declared independence on 15 November 1988 at the 19th session of the Palestinian National Council in Algiers, where Palestine Liberation Organization chairman Yasser Arafat read out the declaration. The following month, the UN General Assembly acknowledged the proclamation in Resolution 43/177 and decided to use the designation “Palestine” in place of “Palestine Liberation Organization” in the UN system.

The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Palestine on 4 April 1982 and has repeatedly called for an end to the Israeli occupation, protection of Palestinian rights and Palestine’s admission as a full member of the United Nations. In April 2024, the Maldives urged the UN Security Council to back full membership and called on the international community to halt arms sales to Israel.

The Maldives also submitted a written statement to the International Court of Justice in its advisory proceedings on the legal consequences of Israeli policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory. It separately filed a declaration of intervention in South Africa’s case against Israel concerning alleged violations of the Genocide Convention in Gaza.

In September 2025, the Maldives welcomed the UN General Assembly’s endorsement of the New York Declaration on a peaceful settlement and the implementation of a two-state solution. The resolution passed with 142 votes in favour, 10 against and 12 abstentions.

Muizzu also reiterated his support for Palestine during a meeting with Mustafa on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye. The Maldives has continued to oppose Israeli settlement expansion, land seizures and the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, and has called for the protection of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem.