Maldives Moves to Permanently Ban Israelis, Block Property Deals
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
The Maldives is enacting legislation for a permanent entry ban on Israeli passport holders and a prohibition on real estate deals involving Israelis, even those with dual citizenship. President Mohamed Muizzu announced the measures, which are proceeding through two legislative paths. The immigration bill seeks an unconditional entry ban, while the real estate law aims to prevent Israeli ownership and investment in property. These actions are presented as a response to the conflict in Gaza and local concerns about Israeli involvement in development projects.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu announced plans for a permanent entry ban on Israelis.
- New legislation will also block real estate transactions involving Israeli citizens and companies.
- The entry ban will be unconditional, regardless of developments in the Gaza conflict.
- Dual citizenship will not permit Israelis to bypass the new property restrictions.
- The measures are partly a response to local concerns over Israeli investment in development projects.
The Maldives government is advancing legislation to implement a permanent entry ban for Israeli passport holders and prohibit real estate transactions involving Israelis, regardless of whether they use foreign passports or dual citizenship. President Mohamed Muizzu announced these measures on Monday, stating that two separate legislative tracks are being pursued.
The immigration bill aims to solidify an unconditional ban on Israelis entering the country, irrespective of future developments in the Gaza conflict. This builds upon an existing ban that took effect on April 15, 2025, after Muizzu ratified an amendment to the immigration law. "We have clearly and firmly established in law that no person with an Israeli passport will be able to enter the Maldives," Muizzu stated, citing opposition to Israel's actions against Palestinians.
The second legislative proposal focuses on real estate. It will forbid the sale of leasehold rights in designated development areas to Israeli citizens and entities, directly or indirectly. This ban will also apply to subleasing land to Israelis and will render any transactions violating these provisions void. Muizzu emphasized that dual citizenship will not allow Israelis to circumvent these property restrictions, as investments will be subject to thorough identification and customer due diligence checks.
These moves come amid local concerns over a planned coastal and marina project in Ras Malé, which had raised fears of Israeli acquisition of rights. Muizzu asserted that the proposed legislation would address these anxieties. However, reports suggest a potential enforcement gap regarding dual citizens entering the country, as immigration authorities may not be able to verify additional citizenships at the border. Muizzu acknowledged this difficulty, differentiating between entry and investment, noting that while entry might be possible with another passport, investments would still face scrutiny.
