Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has accused incumbent President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of forwarding the issue of banning Israeli passports to the People’s Majlis despite having the power to ban Israeli passports himself, because he doesn’t want to do so.

Speaking at a press conference held at his People’s National Front (PNF) office, Yameen asserted that the incumbent administration does not have good intentions in this matter.

Stressing that the Maldives should not be taking a step back in taking action in connection with this matter, the former president stated that in his speech delivered at the OIC, the Islamic Minister of Maldives called to end Israel’s genocide against innocent Palestinians, on behalf of the Maldivian government.

However, Yameen said that the incumbent administration is struggling to ban Israeli passports, and that this is a massive problem.

Adding that such decisions were taken by the president during previous administrations, Yameen noted that there is no law or section in the Constitution that enlightens that such issues should be forwarded to the People’s Majlis.

The former president highlighted that the country’s president must take a decision on such grave matters.

Accusing the incumbent administration of delaying this important issue, Yameen said that the president does not want to ban Israeli passports at all.

Stressing that it has been 45 days since the matter reached the People’s Majlis committee, Yameen said that he does not believe the government has good intentions regarding this important matter.

Attorney General Ahmed Usham had noted that the government has no intention of banning Israelis from entering the Maldives, at all.

As such, Usham stated that if the bill to ban Israeli passports is passed as it is, it would present major complications to the Maldives.

With this, he noted that the government will propose amendments to it.

The bill on banning Israeli passports was accepted by the People’s Majlis, and forwarded to the 241 Committee in early June. The bill was submitted by the former ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s MP for South Galolhu constituency Meekail Naseem, in a bid to amend the Immigration Act, to ban the entry of tourists with Israeli passports into the Maldives.