Maldives Confirms Continued Diplomatic Break With Israel at 61st Independence Day

During the Maldives' 61st Independence Day ceremony held in the capital Malé, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu reaffirmed the country's diplomatic break with Israel. Speaking before representatives from 43 countries and international organizations, Muizzu emphasized that the Maldives will maintain relations with all countries except Israel, citing strong public support for the Palestinian people and opposition to Israeli actions in Gaza. He stated, "We proudly decided to prevent holders of Israeli passports from enjoying our beaches," underscoring the ongoing ban on Israeli tourists.

The president linked this policy to his "Maldives First" foreign policy, which prioritizes national interests and values. Muizzu criticized the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for previously pursuing a "pro-Israel" agenda, including plans for direct flights from Israel and medical cooperation, which he said conflicted with Maldivian and broader Arab-Islamic values.

Muizzu also positioned the Maldives as a peace-seeking nation committed to regional cooperation. He called for revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and highlighted the Maldives' active participation in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Commonwealth, and global climate change efforts. Government officials viewed the strong diplomatic turnout at the event as evidence of the success of the "Maldives First" policy in strengthening ties with Arab countries and the international community while upholding national principles.

The president's remarks came amid a politically charged atmosphere, using the Independence Day platform to reinforce the travel ban on Israelis and reject normalization efforts. The ban will remain as long as Israeli actions against Palestinians continue and as long as his administration's foreign policy is in place.