Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel has said the failure of world powers to hold Israel accountable for the genocide in Gaza, and their unwillingness to apply international law equally, threatens to undermine global trust in the international justice system.

Addressing the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Minister said Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people is being supported by countries that established the international justice system and claim to champion human rights. He described this as the “greatest shame of the century.”

Minister Dr Khaleel accused powerful nations of adopting double standards, pointing out that while they claim to advocate human rights, they have supplied Israel with weapons and financial support to continue its atrocities. He said these countries refuse to recognise the Palestinian people’s equal right to life and security, making their policies transparent in their bias.

The Minister warned that Israel has long been given the space to commit genocide in Palestine, and that global inaction endangers all nations. He cautioned that even powerful countries would not be safe in a world where the rule of law is ignored. The Maldives therefore called for reform of the UN Security Council, including abolishing the veto system vested in a handful of countries.

In addition to his remarks on Palestine, Minister Dr Khaleel also addressed the challenges faced by small island states. He said such nations are paying the price for environmental destruction caused by major powers, while also struggling with financial constraints in providing basic services such as education, healthcare, and resilience-building.