Maldives President reaffirms support for independent Palestinian state

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed the Maldives’ unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their right to an independent state during a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Dr Mohammad Mustafa on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

During the meeting, Muizzu conveyed the Maldives’ unwavering, unequivocal and unconditional solidarity with Palestine, reiterating the country's support for the Palestinian people's pursuit of freedom, dignity, justice and self-determination.

He stressed that the Maldives' position was rooted in its longstanding commitment to justice and humanity, and assured that the country would continue to stand firmly behind the Palestinian people in defending their rights.

The President also reaffirmed the Maldives' support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Assuring that Palestine would not stand alone, President pledged the Maldives' continued solidarity until justice, freedom and lasting peace were achieved.

The meeting comes as the Maldives continues to strengthen its diplomatic and legal advocacy for Palestine amid Israel's ongoing actions against the Palestinian people.

Separately, speaking at a press conference at the President's Office earlier this week, President Dr. Muizzu reaffirmed that holders of Israeli passports would be prohibited from entering the Maldives under an unconditional ban.

The President said the provision had been included in the Government's proposed Immigration Bill, removing conditions attached to earlier proposals that linked the entry restriction to Israel halting its actions against Palestinians.

He added that allowing Israeli passport holders to enter the country would contradict the Government's policies and the position of the Maldivian people.