A statement issued by Hamas stated that this step is consistent with its moral stance rejecting the brutal crimes and war of extermination perpetrated by the Israeli occupation government against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The movement called on other countries to adopt similar positions by working to isolate the Zionist entity and perpetuate its international isolation.
He said that these decisions "constitute significant moral and political support for our people's struggle and reinforce the occupation's isolation on the international stage until our people achieve their freedom, independence, and the establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital."
For its part, the Palestinian National Council welcomed the position adopted by the Maldivian Parliament, stressing that the decision reflects the Maldives' commitment to the principles of justice and human rights.
The Council added in its statement that this decision represents significant moral and political support for the Palestinian people's struggle and strengthens the isolation of the occupation on the international stage.
The Council described the resolution as "historic," calling on "the parliaments of the free world to follow the example of the Maldives Parliament and take firm stances against the occupying state by isolating the apartheid state and imposing international sanctions on the pillars of its racist government and members of its parliament, who legitimize war crimes and racist persecution against the Palestinian people."
On Tuesday, the President of the Maldives ratified a parliamentary resolution barring Israeli passport holders from entering the country, according to Hebrew media.
The Hebrew website Walla reported: "The Maldives has officially banned the entry of Israeli passport holders into its territory, citing its strong solidarity with the Palestinians in light of the ongoing war in Gaza."
The website added, "The amendment to the Maldives' immigration law, which was passed by a majority during today's parliamentary session, includes a clause explicitly prohibiting Israeli citizens from entering the country."
He noted that "Israelis with dual citizenship can still visit the Maldives using non-Israeli passports, and that the ban applies to all travelers using an Israeli identity card."
On June 2, 2024, the Maldives government decided to ban Israelis from entering the archipelago, known for its luxury resorts, as public anger in the Muslim-majority nation escalated over the genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The office of Maldives President Mohamed Moez said in a statement at the time that the cabinet had decided to change the laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the country, and to establish a subcommittee to oversee the process, according to the Associated Press.
The Republic of Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean, and includes approximately 1,190 coral islands, with a population of more than 500,000.