MATATO Supports Barring Israeli Leaders from Visiting Maldives, Opposes Blanket Ban
The Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO) has voiced its support for barring Israeli leaders from visiting the country, while suggesting that a blanket ban on all Israeli passport holders would not be the most effective approach.
In a meeting with the Parliament’s National Security Services Committee (241 Committee) today, MATATO President Abdulla Giyas expressed full backing for restrictions on Israeli leadership but cautioned against a comprehensive ban on Israeli passport holders. MATATO, he explained, believes that a targeted approach would be more appropriate, echoing concerns raised the previous day by the National Hotel and Guesthouse Association of Maldives (NHGAM).
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ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ ސަލާމަތީ ޚިދުމަތްތަކާބެހޭ ކޮމިޓީއިން، ޤާނޫނު ނަންބަރު 1/2007 (ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ އިމިގްރޭޝަންގެ ޤާނޫނު) އަށް އިޞްލާޙު ގެނައުމުގެ ބިލާ ގުޅޭގޮތުން މޯލްޑިވްސް އެސޯސިއޭޝަން އޮފް ޓްރެވަލް އޭޖެންޓްސް އެންޑް ޓުއަރ އޮޕަރޭޓަރސްގެ ބޭފުޅުންނާ ބައްދަލުކުރުން pic.twitter.com/Nse5dCAqUN— People's Majlis (@mvpeoplesmajlis) November 27, 2024
Giyas highlighted that Israel has effectively boycotted the Maldives, making it unlikely that any Israeli tourists would visit in the next decade. However, he pointed out that many people holding Israeli passports are citizens of other countries, including Russia and Palestine, which complicates the implementation of such a ban. He also noted that Palestinians holding Israeli passports are often unable to travel on Palestinian documents, particularly to European nations.
In his statement, Giyas urged lawmakers to consider the broader geopolitical context, including the role of countries that support Israel, which are crucial to the Maldives’ economy. He confirmed that MATATO would align with industry stakeholders like NHGAM on the issue.
NHGAM also made its position clear during the committee session, yesterday. The association opposed a blanket ban on all Israeli passport holders, arguing that this would unfairly affect Muslims residing in Israel. Instead, NHGAM supported measures to restrict the entry of Israeli leaders, while also stressing that the ban should not extend to members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as military service is compulsory for Israeli citizens.
The debate over the ban follows a decision by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s cabinet on June 2 to make legislative changes aimed at restricting Israeli passport holders. The proposal, which was supported by the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), was introduced in Parliament in early June by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). However, progress on the bill has stalled since then.
