In a show of solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza and amidst mounting public anger, the government of the Maldives has decided to ban Israelis from visiting the picturesque Indian Ocean archipelago renowned for its white sand beaches and luxury resorts.
President Mohamed Muizzu, through a statement from his office, announced the implementation of a ban on Israeli passport holders, with details about the effective date yet to be disclosed. Additionally, President Muizzu launched a national fundraising campaign named “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”
According to official data, nearly 11,000 Israelis visited the Maldives last year, accounting for approximately 0.6 percent of total tourist arrivals. However, the number of Israeli tourists dropped significantly in the first four months of this year, with only 528 visitors recorded, reflecting an 88 percent decline compared to the same period last year.
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The decision to ban Israelis came as a result of pressure from opposition parties and government allies in the Maldives, who viewed the move as a symbolic protest against the ongoing Gaza war. The conflict, which began on October 7, has resulted in the deaths of at least 36,439 Palestinians and left 82,627 wounded. It is worth noting that the Maldives had previously lifted a ban on Israeli tourists in the early 1990s and attempted to restore bilateral relations in 2010.
However, these efforts faced setbacks following the political upheaval that led to the removal of President Mohamed Nasheed in February 2012. In response to the travel ban, a spokesperson from the Israeli foreign ministry advised Israeli citizens currently in the Maldives to consider leaving, as the government may face challenges in providing assistance in case of any emergencies.
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Apart from the Maldives, Israeli passport holders are also prohibited from entering Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen. The State of Israel, in a social media post, responded with the phrase “We’re good” regarding these entry bans, which were already in place before the Gaza war.
The ban on Israeli tourists in the Maldives serves as a potent symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, highlighting the growing international concern for the situation in Gaza. As the conflict continues, the Maldives joins other nations in expressing its support for peaceful resolutions and calls for de-escalation in the region.
