Replacement of Israeli company on eFaas

The Maldives has recently taken significant steps to demonstrate its solidarity with Palestine by submitting a bill to its parliament that would ban Israeli passport holders from entering the country. This move, if passed, would prevent any Israeli citizens, including those with dual passports, from vacationing in the Maldives. Historically, the Maldives has been vocal about its stance on Israel's actions against Palestine, but this bill represents one of the most substantial measures the country has considered.

In addition to the proposed travel ban, the Maldives is also addressing another significant issue. Since the escalation of violence on October 7th, 2023, there has been a global call to boycott companies that financially support or are affiliated with Israel. Amid this backdrop, it was revealed that eFaas, the Maldives' national digital identity service operated by the National Center for Information Technology (NCIT), had partnered with Sumsub, a company registered in the UK but owned by Israelis. Although NCIT clarified that its decision to partner with Sumsub was based on the firm's registration and operation under English law, the revelation sparked widespread public criticism. Many Maldivians felt that any affiliation with an Israeli-owned company contradicted their country's stance on Palestine.

In response to the backlash, NCIT has announced that it is in the process of replacing Sumsub as the vendor for the eFaas service. This transition has temporarily disrupted the face verification service previously provided by Sumsub. While NCIT has not yet disclosed the new vendor, this decision has been welcomed as a positive step towards aligning the Maldives' actions with its commitment to supporting Palestine.

These moves by the Maldives reflect its unwavering position against Israel's policies and actions, reinforcing the country's solidarity with the Palestinian cause.