Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam has called for stronger international efforts to protect the rights of the Palestinian people, enable them to remain in their homeland, and ensure their full freedom and independence over their land, homes and lives.
The Minister made the call while speaking at the Joint Arab Islamic Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem, convened upon the request of Jordan
In her remarks, Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam stressed that Jerusalem holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims beyond being a matter on the international agenda, highlighting the importance of maintaining its sanctity and establishing lasting peace in the city.
The Minister warned that developments in Jerusalem are shaping its future, saying the reality witnessed today includes the destruction of Palestinian homes, Jerusalem and holy sites in the occupied territory. She also highlighted repeated violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, settlement expansion and the displacement of Palestinian families from their homes, stressing that such actions must not be allowed to continue.
Minister Iruthisham said the Maldives' position on the Palestinian issue is clear and called for an immediate end to what she described as crimes being committed in the occupied territory.
She said the settlement activities in Jerusalem are contrary to international law and international agreements, and stressed that such actions do not diminish the city's sanctity and significance.
The Minister said the international community must work together to end what she described as crimes being committed in Palestine and to protect Jerusalem and the holy sites of Bayt al-Maqdis.
She stressed that protecting Jerusalem means ensuring the Palestinian people have the full freedom to determine their own future. She also called for greater international recognition of the State of Palestine and for collective efforts to enable Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations.
The Minister further called on Islamic countries to work more closely with other nations to halt what she described as violations of Palestinian human rights.
During the meeting, the Maldives welcomed the positions taken by the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden against the displacement of Palestinians from their lands and settlement expansion.
The Maldives also welcomed measures taken by countries against Israeli settlers involved in settlement activities and called for further collective action.
The Joint Arab Islamic Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem, convened upon the request of Jordan, is aimed at coordinating and strengthening joint Arab and Islamic action to protect the city of Jerusalem and its holy sites and to preserve its historic and legal status quo.