No Property Ownership for Israeli Citizens in Rasmalé: Maldives Housing Minister

Malé, Maldives — Housing Minister Dr. Abdullah Muththalib has said that no opportunity to own property under the Rasmalé project will be given to Israeli citizens, and that any agreement made by falsifying documents will be annulled. In a statement published on LinkedIn, the minister said Israeli citizens, or companies controlled by Israel, will not be allowed to participate as buyers, shareholders, financiers or sales agents. Every party buying property must disclose citizenship held in all countries, he said. If false information is provided, the agreement will be annulled, the property will be taken by the state, and the money paid can also be seized. The minister also noted that although investors received visas under the Corporate Residence Visa introduced in 2015, permanent residency or Maldivian citizenship will not be granted under any circumstances. Limits will be set on the amount of property foreigners can buy, and no party will be given permanent ownership or freehold, he said. Maldivians will be prioritized at every step, and Maldivians will pay in Maldivian Rufiyaa, the minister said. Responding to rumors that Rasmalé could become a place where Zionists settle, Muththalib said such claims have no basis. He noted that Zionism's aim is to establish a Jewish state in historical Palestine, not to settle people in other countries. He pointed out that the government banned Israeli passports in April last year, and assured that the government will not allow anything contrary to that decision through property transactions. The developer Eagle Hills has also publicly said it will follow the rules, he said. The minister said that while about ten percent of Israel's population holds dual citizenship and border checks may not verify that, checks carried out when buying property can close that opportunity. He called for Maldives' support and solidarity with the Palestinian people to remain unchanged, and urged that those feelings not be used for political purposes. He also said economic self-reliance is the most important step to protect the Maldives' policies on Palestinian rights. The caption accompanying the article said UAE's Eagle Hills Chairman Mohamed Alabbar and Housing Minister Dr. Abdullah Muththalib signed the agreement. Photo: Housing Ministry.