Emergency motion to expedite Israeli passport ban bill rejected for not meeting requirements

An emergency motion calling to expedite works on Israel passport ban bill has been rejected for failing to meet the Parliament’s regulations.

Parliamentary sittings resumed on Monday after a break for the last 10 days of Ramadan and Eid holidays.

Main opposition MDP’s Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir submitted an emergency motion for Monday’s sitting over the delays in deciding on the Israeli passport ban bill that currently remains stymied in the Parliament.

In his emergency motion, Mauroof noted that the cabinet resolved to ban Israeli passports on June 2^nd after MDP’s South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem submitted a bill proposing an amendment to the Immigration Act to ban entries to the Maldives on Israeli passports. In spite of this, Mauroof expressed concern over the government’s failure to take any action to see the implementation of the ban.

Parliament's Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim, who was presiding over Monday's sitting, underscored that Parliament's regulations dictated an emergency motion can only be submitted in urgent situations affecting the nation's or citizens' interests, to bring it to the government's attention. Citing the Parliament’s regulations, Nazim said an emergency motion cannot pertain to works on a bill or a motion submitted to the Parliament.

As such, Nazim said the chair has decided to reject the emergency motion for failing to meet the necessary requirements.

Mauroof’s emergency motion further states that the government has been utilizing its supermajority in the Parliament to pass other bills while the Israeli passport ban bill has remained stymied in the Parliament for nine months.

He emphasized that the government’s actions and words do not meet with respect to the Israeli passport ban issue.

Notably, MDP MPs have submitted motions calling to expedite the Israeli passport ban bill on multiple occasions. They have all been rejected by ruling PNC, which holds the supermajority in the Parliament.

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.