The government is to ban Israeli passports, after amending the law.

The President’s Office announced this on Sunday, following a meeting President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu held with his Cabinet of Ministers earlier in the day. The government decided to amend the law to prevent people from entering the country on Israeli passports.

The decision was announced by Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, during a press conference held at the President’s Office on Sunday afternoon.

Following the cabinet’s decision to bring in necessary amendments to the laws to prevent people from entering the country on Israeli passports, it was also decided to constitute a cabinet committee on Sunday to look into the matter.

It also includes the president's decision to appoint a special envoy to assess the Maldives’ preference and commitment to the Palestinians in the case of Palestine and Israel.

It was also decided to organize fundraising activities in the Maldives, through the United Nations (UN) Relief and Works Agency to help the affected brothers and sisters in Palestine, and to hold a nationwide rally titled “Maldivians with Palestine”.

When questioned by a journalist whether the government would support a bill to amend the Immigration Act to ban people from entering the country on Israeli passports, Minister Ihusaan revealed that it was too early to say if the People’s Majlis would decide in a specific way and that a decision would be reached after thorough research and analysis.

When inquired why Israeli passports were not banned immediately, the minister said that the Attorney General had recommended that the work be carried out by amending the law, in accordance with the laws of the island nation.

Ihusaan revealed that work is underway to do the needful and added that he did not know an exact date the ban will be implemented, but that it would be imposed soon, and that it would not take that much time.

This comes after the incumbent administration faced backlash over the massive delay in banning Israeli passports, at a time Israeli forces have been intensifying their inhumane attacks and acts of genocide against innocent civilians in Palestine.

Protesters had gathered near the President’s Office on Sunday, voicing concerns over the matter as well.