New York, —In a powerful and emotional speech at the United Nations General Assembly, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took a clear stand, condemning the ongoing violence in Gaza and calling for Israel to be held accountable. His message was as direct as it was necessary: the world cannot keep turning a blind eye to the suffering of Palestinians.
Muizzu, becoming the first Maldivian leader to describe Israeli actions in Gaza as “genocide” and “massacre” on the world stage, demanded accountability.
Palestine’s future cannot be buried under the rubble of Gaza, he declared, calling for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds as its capital. His speech drew a clear line on where the Maldives stands in the global conversation about justice and human rights.
This isn’t just rhetoric. For Muizzu, the issue of Palestine represents a much larger failure of global systems meant to prevent war, genocide, and human suffering.
“This is why the ongoing massacre – the genocide – by Israel in Gaza, is a travesty of justice and the international system. The repeated destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, humanitarian infrastructure; the repeated cycles of killings of men, women, children, babies; thousands upon thousands….” Dr. Muizzu
The Maldives, a nation that has long championed international justice, stands firm in its belief that all peoples deserve their fundamental rights, and Palestine, he stressed, is no exception.
Muizzu’s stance on Palestine is no mere gesture of diplomacy. It speaks to the Maldives’ broader identity—one that has consistently emphasized justice for all. His words resonate deeply, not just with Maldivians but with every small nation watching the powerful ignore their cries for help. The call for Israel to be held accountable wasn’t just an echo of political posturing but a demand for action. For the Maldives, inaction is no longer an option.
This moment wasn’t just about Palestine. It was about who the Maldives chooses to be on the world stage: a nation that does not compromise on human rights, one that refuses to sit silently while war crimes are carried out in full view of the international community. Muizzu’s words, raw and unvarnished, reflect a national commitment to stand for justice—even if the rest of the world falters.