Maldives Moves to Permanently Ban Israeli Passport Holders
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The Maldives is advancing legislation to permanently ban Israeli passport holders, regardless of the Gaza war's status. This escalates a previous temporary ban set for April 2025. The decision stems from public anger over the war and aims to halt Israeli tourism, which saw over 10,000 visitors in 2023. Details on enforcement and parliamentary approval are pending.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maldives plans permanent ban on Israelis regardless of Gaza war status.
- President Mohamed Muizzu's office announced the legislative push.
- The ban follows a temporary entry prohibition set for April 2025.
- Over 10,000 Israelis visited the Maldives in 2023.
- The move is driven by public anger over the Gaza conflict.
The Maldives is advancing legislation to permanently ban all Israeli passport holders from entering the country, regardless of the conclusion of the war in Gaza. The announcement was made by the office of President Mohamed Muizzu, marking a significant escalation in the island nation's policy against Israeli citizens.
This move follows a temporary entry ban that was set to take effect in April 2025, after the cabinet decided to amend laws to prevent Israelis from entering. It remains unclear if the planned legislation will include enforcement mechanisms for Israelis holding dual citizenship with foreign passports.
In June 2024, the Maldivian government announced the formation of a subcommittee to oversee the issue, appoint a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs, and organize a fundraising campaign for Palestinians. This decision was prompted by public anger among the country's Muslim population over the war in Gaza.
The Maldives is a popular destination for Israelis, with over 10,000 visiting in 2023, representing about 1% of the country's total tourists. The proposed ban is expected to completely halt travel for Israeli tourists.
This action by the Maldives aligns with a series of policy and declarative steps taken by its government since the conflict began. Concurrently, other nations like Spain, Ireland, and Norway have officially recognized a Palestinian state. The timeline for the proposed bill's submission to the Maldivian parliament and the exact implementation details of the permanent ban are not yet known, with further developments anticipated in the coming weeks.
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