Committee summons Transport Minister for allowing Israeli jet in Maldives

The National Security Committee has made the decision to summon the Minister of Transport for questioning in relation to allowing an Israeli jet to land in Gan, Addu City, in May 2012; when the parliament had passed a declaration that does not allow Israeli flights in Maldives.

The issue was submitted to the National Security Committee by Madaveli MP Mohamed Nazim, and supported by Dhaandhoo MP Mohamed Riyaz.

Riyaz highlighted that allowing an Israeli jet to land in Maldives, when the parliament had passed that this should not be allowed, could pose a threat to the Maldives.

He proposed to summon Minister of Transport Dr Ahmed Shamheed and Managing Director of Addu International Airport Private Limited Shahid Ali to the Committee for questioning, following which Committee Chairperson, Hulhu-henveiru MP Reeko Moosa Manik said that letters will be sent to summon them to the Committee.

Moosa did not indicate when they will be summoned.

Sun Online understands that the Israeli jet, carrying nine tourists, landed in Gan on 12 May 2012. It was granted permission by Civil Aviation Department.

The declaration that prohibits Israeli flights in Maldives was passed on 25 April 2012. It stipulates that suspicions had surfaced that Israel’s national airline was about to commence operations to Maldives, and prohibits landing of Israeli flights in Maldives until a decision is made on the issue submitted to National Security Committee in this regard.

The media reported that Israel’s national airline, El Al, had plans to operate flights to Maldives, soon after the protests against Israeli opticians who arrived in the Maldives at the end of last year. The issue was brought to the attention of the National Security Committee by Vice President of Adhaalath Party, Dr Mauroof Hussain.

MPs said during discussions held in this regard at the Committee that Israel will not be given ‘permission’ in the Maldives until they cease the crimes against thousands of Muslims in Palestine, which have been going on for over sixty years.