Maldives implements travel ban on Israeli citizens amid rising Gaza conflict tensions

MALDIVES: The Maldives, renowned for its luxury resorts and picturesque landscapes, has announced a ban on Israeli citizens entering the country.

The office of President Mohamed Muizzu made the announcement as public anger intensified in the predominantly Muslim nation over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

A spokesperson for President Muizzu confirmed the decision to impose a ban on Israeli passports, although details regarding the implementation timeline were not provided.

In response, Israel's Foreign Ministry advised Israeli citizens to avoid travelling to the Maldives.

The ministry's statement, issued on Sunday, extended the recommendation to Israelis with dual citizenship.

"For Israeli citizens already in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, because if they find themselves in distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to assist," the ministry warned.

Israelis living in the archipelago were also urged to consider departing due to potential difficulties in receiving assistance.

The recent tensions have led to increased pressure from both opposition parties and government allies in the Maldives for President Muizzu to take a firm stance against Israel as a form of protest against the Gaza conflict.

On Sunday (2 June), the president's office announced that the cabinet had decided to amend the laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the country and to establish a subcommittee to oversee the process.

In addition to the travel ban, President Muizzu has launched a national fundraising campaign titled "Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine."

The Maldives had previously lifted a ban on Israeli tourists in the early 1990s and sought to restore relations in 2010.

However, these normalization efforts were disrupted following the ousting of then-President Mohamed Nasheed in February 2012.

Official data indicates that the number of Israeli visitors to the Maldives dropped to 528 in the first four months of this year, an 88% decrease compared to the same period last year.

In 2023, nearly 11,000 Israelis visited the Maldives, accounting for 0.6% of the total tourist arrivals.

Beyond the Maldives, Israeli passport holders are also not allowed to enter Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen, according to Al Jazeera.

International condemnation of Israel has intensified following an attack on a Palestinian refugee camp in Rafah that killed 45 Palestinians and injured hundreds.

Despite a ruling by the top United Nations court on 24 May ordering Israel to stop its attacks, Israel has continued its assaults, arguing that the court’s ruling allows for some scope for military action.

Israel’s offensive in response to the 7 October attack by Hamas has resulted in over 36,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, many of whom are women and children.

The operation has obliterated entire neighbourhoods, forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, and pushed parts of the territory toward famine.