Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu officially signed into law a ban on Israeli passport holders entering the country, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The legislation, approved by the Maldivian parliament, amends the nation’s Immigration Act to prohibit entry to Israeli nationals, although individuals with dual citizenship may still enter using non-Israeli passports.
The Maldivian government stated that the ban would remain in effect until what it describes as Israel’s “inhumane acts” against Palestinians cease. This move aligns with the country’s broader support for Palestinian causes, including its intention to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens, including those with dual nationality, to avoid traveling to the Maldives and recommended that Israelis currently in the country consider leaving, citing potential difficulties in providing consular assistance.
The Maldives, a Muslim-majority nation, had previously lifted a ban on Israeli tourists in the 1990s and initiated steps toward normalizing relations in 2010. However, these efforts were halted following political changes in 2012.
Tourism data indicates a significant decline in Israeli visitors to the Maldives, with numbers dropping from over 11,000 in 2023 to just 528 in the first four months of 2024.
In addition to the travel ban, President Muizzu announced the appointment of a special envoy to assess Palestinian humanitarian needs and launched a national fundraising campaign titled “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”
