Statement of the President of the Republic of Maldives on the 2025 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

 

On this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Maldives stands firmly with the Palestinian people in their pursuit of justice, dignity, and self-determination. Maldivians first observed this day in 1982, a proud tradition, now burdened by grief that is much too heavy. Yet our solidarity has not weakened. It rests on shared values and a simple principle: no people should have to pursue self- determination and dignity in isolation. Today, the reality on the ground is stark. Israel, as the occupying power of Palestine, continues its aggression. Its military operations, illegal settlement expansion, and systematic restrictions on Palestinian life deny Palestine its right to exist as a sovereign and viable State. The fragility of ceasefire is proof that brief pauses in violence cannot create real security. For the Palestinian people, instability continues to define their daily reality: lives are lost, homes destroyed, and the dreams of a hopeful future taken away. Today, we reiterate our firm support for the recognition of Palestine as an independent State, based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and international law. The State of Palestine must also be recognized as a full member of the United Nations. The rights of Palestine to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic viability must be guaranteed without any condition. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice.

As we observe this important day, I call upon the international community to translate solidarity into genuine and meaningful action. Let us work together to ensure that the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people are realised, and that peace may prevail for all peoples in the region and beyond. 

Dr. Mohamed Muizzu President of the Republic of Maldives.