In a powerful display of solidarity with the Palestinian people, the Maldivian delegation walked out of the International Labour Conference (ILC) on Wednesday afternoon as the Israeli minister began delivering his statement.

The Maldives was represented at the ILC by Minister of Higher Education, Labour, and Skills Development Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, State Minister Dr Ali Nazeer, and other senior officials from the ministry.

As the Israeli minister began to speak at Wednesday’s ILC session, Minister Dr Haidar and his accompanying delegation walked out of the hall, joining the majority of other country delegates in a coordinated show of protest.

The Government of the Maldives has consistently expressed its solidarity with the Palestinian people and has repeatedly called for an immediate and deliberate end to the genocide in Palestine.

As a show of solidarity, the Government of the Maldives, under the initiative of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, has amended the Immigration Act to ban Israeli passport holders from entering the country. 

The Government’s efforts to raise awareness about the conflict and advocate for its end continue both on global platforms and at the national level.