The Maldives Parliament’s Security Services Committee (241 Committee) has decided to accelerate work on a bill that seeks to amend the Maldives Immigration Act to ban Israeli citizens from entering the country. The move comes in response to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

The bill, submitted on July 10, was under review by the committee, which initially planned to complete its work by February next year. However, during a meeting today, Committee Chair Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem announced plans to expedite the process by summoning relevant authorities to the committee starting tomorrow.

Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid proposed the decision, which was supported by Kela MP Abdulla Shareef. The committee will now proceed with summoning listed individuals to scrutinise the bill further.

The committee chair explained that delays in the bill’s progress were due to earlier procedures for gathering input, but changes have been made to ensure a faster process moving forward.