Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that a “lasting solution” to the Palestinian crisis and the ongoing Gaza conflict is “can only be possible through the establishment of an independent” Palestinian state.

“As we commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Maldives reaffirm its commitment to the Palestinian struggle for justice and their right to live in peace,” Dr Muizzi said on X.

“We firmly believe that a lasting solution can only be possible through the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he added.

“For every Maldivian, Palestine’s struggle is our own.”

He called on the international community to “come together and leverage all its political will and economic power to demand an immediate end to Israel’s illegal occupation and hold those responsible for war crimes and genocidal acts accountable”.