Malé, Maldives — The Maldivian Parliament has voted against a resolution calling for the expedited approval of a bill to ban Israeli passport holders. The resolution, submitted by Opposition MP Mohamed Ibrahim, was rejected on Wednesday, with ruling party members emphasizing the need for further deliberation before making a decision on the matter.

The original bill to ban Israeli passports was submitted by Opposition MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem four months ago but has since been stalled by the ruling party. During the debate on the resolution, several ruling party MPs expressed concerns about the implications of such a ban, hinting that the government needs to reconsider its stance.

Ruling Party MP Saudhullah argued that Parliament must carefully weigh the pros and cons of the ban, stating that "the Maldives is not in a position to oppose any State." This sentiment reflects broader concerns over diplomatic and geopolitical consequences that could arise from implementing the ban.

The rejection of the resolution has sparked criticism from opposition members, who accuse the ruling party of delaying a decision on a matter they see as urgent. The debate has also fueled public discourse on the Maldives’ diplomatic policies and its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The original bill remains stalled, leaving the timeline for any decision on the issue uncertain.