US Lawmakers Take Action Against Maldives for Banning Israeli Passport Holders
US Lawmakers Plan to Retaliate Against the Maldives for Banning Israeli Passport Holders
Maldives' Controversial Decision Sparks Outrage in the US
US lawmakers have expressed their indignation at the Maldives for its recent decision to prohibit Israeli passport holders from entering the country. This move is a response to alleged war crimes linked to Israel's contentious military operations in Gaza. The Maldives, an Indian Ocean archipelago state, is renowned for its luxury resorts and high-end travel in picturesque beach locations. The president's office announced on Sunday that the cabinet is updating the national entry laws to enforce this ban on Israeli passport holders.
US Congress Members Seek to Penalize Maldives
Several members of the US Congress are taking steps to reprimand the Maldives for this contentious decision. Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) is drafting legislation that could potentially cut all aid to the Muslim-majority nation. Gottheimer, a well-known and vocal supporter of Israel, is collaborating with colleagues from both parties on the bill, which will be named the Protecting Allied Travel Here (PATH) Act.
The Implications of the PATH Act
The PATH Act would make US aid to the Maldives contingent on the removal of its travel ban. This would essentially be a form of sanctions, as it would prohibit current aid. Gottheimer stated that taxpayer dollars should not be given to a foreign nation that has banned all Israeli citizens from visiting their country. He further argued that Israel is one of America's greatest democratic allies, and the Maldives' travel ban is a clear act of anti-Semitism. He insists that the Maldives should not receive any American funds until they reverse this policy.
Maldives' Stance on the Issue
The Maldivian government has defended its anti-Israel policies as a show of solidarity with Palestinians. In December, the country imposed a docking ban, preventing Israeli ships from using its ports. The Times of Israel has reported that nearly 11,000 Israelis visited the Maldives last year, accounting for 0.6 percent of the country's foreign tourist arrivals. In addition to the Maldives, there are 27 other Muslim-majority countries that currently ban Israeli passport holders, most of which are in the Middle East and North Africa.
What are your thoughts on this matter?
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