Former President Mohamed Nasheed has declared that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) remains steadfast in its support for Palestine, explicitly rejecting any pro-Israel alignment. Speaking at an MDP rally, Nasheed emphasized that the party stands with the Palestinian people in their quest for independence and strongly condemns the humanitarian crisis resulting from the actions of the Israeli government.

The statement comes as a direct rebuttal to remarks made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during an official Independence Day ceremony. President Muizzu had accused the MDP of previously implementing a “pro-Israel” foreign policy and distancing the Maldives from the Arab-Islamic world. Nasheed dismissed these claims, asserting that the MDP has always advocated for Palestinian rights and that the party’s stance remains unchanged despite political rhetoric.

In a sharp counter-accusation, Nasheed alleged that President Muizzu had previously made inflammatory comments against key Gulf allies. He claimed that during a period of regional tension involving Iran, Muizzu had called for aggressive measures against countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE. Nasheed noted that such rhetoric from the President’s platform endangers the nation’s interests, as these countries are among the Maldives’ most significant developmental partners.

Nasheed concluded by highlighting the importance of maintaining strong ties with the Arab world, noting that the developmental aid provided by Gulf nations is unparalleled. He warned that undermining these historical relationships through hostile rhetoric only serves to harm the Maldivian people and the country’s international standing.