President reaffirms Maldives

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has reaffirmed the Maldives’ consistent support for the establishment of an independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The president said this in a message on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Recalling that the Maldives was a proud co-sponsor of the resolution that won Palestine the non-observer status at the UN, President Yameen said the Maldives would continue to show support for Palestinian membership in any other international organization.

He strongly condemned the ongoing human rights violations in the occupied territories by the State of Israel, and said that the Maldives does not believe that meaningful dialogue could be achieved without the fundamental recognition of the right of existence of the State of Palestine.

“It is a travesty that the people of Palestine continue to be denied their most basic right: their right to an independent sovereign State. It is only when this basic right is realized that the Palestinians and Israelis can negotiate as equals.”

The President also urged the international community to maintain its focus on reaching a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the problems of the Middle East.