Maldives Parliament Committee Fast-Tracks Israeli Passport Ban Bill

The Maldives Parliament’s National Security Services Committee (commonly known as the 241 Committee) has unanimously decided to expedite the legislative process to ban Israeli passport holders from entering the country. The motion, initially slated for a February 2025 deadline, is now expected to be finalized earlier following recent discussions.

Committee Chairman and MP for Edhafushi, Ahmed Saleem, stated that letters will be sent to relevant authorities by December. These authorities, including the Attorney General’s Office, Economic Ministry, Tourism Ministry, Foreign Ministry, and the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), are required to provide their input on the proposed amendments to the Immigration Law.

“In studying this bill, we have decided to send letters to the listed persons by December and then appear at the committee based on their response,” Saleem said.

Hulhudhoo MP Mohammed Shahid proposed the motion to expedite the bill, which was seconded by Kelaa MP Abdullah Sharif. The motion passed unanimously among committee members.

The committee plans to gather opinions from key political parties and government institutions before finalizing the bill. The proposed amendments aim to formalize the ban by restricting entry under Israeli passports through changes to the Immigration Law. This step aligns with the Maldives' longstanding support for Palestinian autonomy and opposition to Israeli policies.

The expedited timeline reflects the committee's commitment to completing the legislative process as quickly as possible, with consultations continuing in December.