Maldives leader calls for accountability over Gaza genocide

During a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu condemned Israel for its actions in Gaza, labeling them as genocide and calling for accountability for violations of international law. He highlighted the ongoing violence, including the killing of civilians and destruction of infrastructure, which has also affected Lebanon amid escalating tensions with Hezbollah. Muizzu criticized Israel's targeting of journalists, asserting that these actions are attempts to obscure the truth about the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with over 41,000 Palestinians reported dead and nearly the entire population displaced. Muizzu's government has responded to public outrage in the Maldives by announcing a ban on Israeli visitors, reflecting the predominantly Muslim nation's growing discontent with Israel's military actions. He urged the international community to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. In addition to addressing the conflict, Muizzu emphasized the urgent need for global action on climate change, which poses a significant threat to the Maldives, the world's lowest-lying country. He called for richer nations to fulfill their financial commitments to developing countries, particularly in light of the upcoming COP29 conference. The president stressed that climate change is undermining progress and diverting resources from long-term development to emergency relief. Muizzu's remarks reflect a broader call for justice and accountability in the face of ongoing violence and humanitarian crises, as well as a plea for international cooperation to combat climate change, which is increasingly impacting vulnerable nations like the Maldives.