MATATO also supports barring Israeli leaders instead of blanket passport ban

Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO) has expressed support to ban Israeli passport but has appealed to bar Israeli leaders from visiting the Maldives rather than imposing a blanket ban on all Israeli passport holders.

National Hotel and Guesthouse Association of Maldives (NHGAM) told the Parliament’s National Security Services Committee (241 Committee) on Tuesday that they do not support implementing a blanket ban on Israeli passport holders, but do support barring Israeli leaders from visiting the Maldives.

MATATO was also summoned to 241 Committee on Wednesday to seek their opinion on the matter.

Speaking at the Committee, MATATO’s President Abdulla Giyas expressed full support to ban Israeli support.

“However, we believe a targeted approach is the best way forward based on remarks by Guesthouse Association yesterday and the remarks by lawmakers,” he said.

Giyas underscored that Israel has boycotted to the Maldives. Thus, he said no tourist arrival from the country is expected in the next 10 years.

He highlighted one of the biggest obstructions when it comes to banning Israeli passport as the fact that Israeli passports are held by citizens of other nations.

“We have learned that many Russians hold Israeli passports. As pointed out by representatives of the Guesthouse Association, there are Palestinians as well [who hold Israeli passports]. They are unable to travel to European nations on Palestinian passports,” he detailed.

Moreover, Giyas emphasized the need to factor nations providing support to Israel as they are heavily relied upon for USD.

As such, Giyas said MATATO will support arguments made by tourism industry stakeholders in the matter such as NHGAM.

At Tuesday’s 241 Committee meeting, NHGAM presented the association’s opinion regarding the legislature.

• NHGAM does not support a blanket ban on all Israeli passport holders as this would include Muslims who reside in Israel
• NHGAM supports banning Israeli leaders from entering the Maldives
• NHGAM does not believe the ban should cover members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as national military service is mandatory in Israel

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s cabinet made the decision to make legislative changes to ban Israeli passports on June 2. But the Parliament had already received a bill from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), seeking a blanket ban on travelers with Israeli passports. The bill was accepted with support from the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and forwarded to the Committee on June 10^th.  However, work on the bill has remained stalled until now.

Mounting outrage over the atrocities in Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories has sparked protests in the streets of the capital, Male’ City, with Maldivians demanding that the government ban Israeli citizens from entering the country.