Maldives Reaffirms Strong Support for Palestine in ICJ Hearings

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The Republic of Maldives has reiterated its steadfast support for the Palestinian people during public hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday. The hearings are part of the ICJ's advisory proceedings on the legal consequences of Israel’s presence and actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, following a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 19 December 2024.

Representing the Maldives, Attorney General Ahmed Usham addressed the Court, strongly advocating for the rights of Palestinians and highlighting the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He condemned what he described as Israel’s deliberate efforts to dismantle the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and stressed the urgent need to ensure unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to populations under occupation.

“The Government of Maldives will always stand with the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to secure their fundamental human rights,” AG Usham stated, reaffirming the Maldives' long-standing position on the issue.

The Maldives’ legal team argued that Israel’s justification of its actions based on national security and military necessity fails to meet international legal standards. They further criticised Israel’s withdrawal from the 1967 Exchange of Letters with UNRWA, stating that such actions compromise the delivery of essential services and violate binding international obligations.

During the proceedings, the Maldives reiterated that the only viable path to a just and lasting peace is the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ICJ hearings come at a critical juncture amid growing global scrutiny of Israel’s activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, particularly in relation to humanitarian access and institutional obstructions.