Maldives Bans Entry of Israeli Passport Holders in Solidarity with Gaza

The Maldives has officially banned entry to individuals holding Israeli passports in a move to express solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza. The decision, approved by the country’s parliament and ratified by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, takes immediate effect.
According to a statement from the President’s Office, the amendment to the immigration law is a response to Israel’s “brutal actions” in Gaza. Under the new law, Israeli passport holders will not be allowed to enter the Maldives. However, individuals with dual citizenship may still enter the country using travel documents from another nationality.
The proposal was first introduced in May 2024 by opposition MP Mickail Ahmed Naseem and was later approved by the Security Services Committee. It received full parliamentary approval 308 days after it was first presented.
Additionally, President Muizzu announced the appointment of a special envoy to assess humanitarian needs in Palestinian territories and launched a fundraising campaign titled “Solidarity with Palestine.”
In 2023, over 11,000 Israeli tourists visited the Maldives, but the number significantly dropped in 2024 due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In response to the ban, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens, especially those with dual nationality, to avoid traveling to the Maldives and to leave the country due to limited consular services.
The Maldives, a Muslim-majority nation with over 98% of its population adhering to Islam, had previously imposed a similar ban in the 1990s, which was lifted later. Attempts to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel began in 2010 but were abandoned by 2012.