Maldives President Says Ban on Israeli Passport Holders Will Stay

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said the country will continue barring Israelis from entry, turning the issue into a bitter domestic political fight in the Indian Ocean nation. Speaking at a large rally for his party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), on the island of Dalu Midhu, he portrayed the ban as proof that his government protects Islamic values and national interests.

Muizzu accused the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and previous governments of secretly and openly seeking normalization with Israel, a country with which the Maldives has no formal diplomatic ties. He said earlier administrations had been moving toward direct contacts, including plans for Israeli airline flights and even bringing in Israeli doctors for eye treatment. According to him, the only reason those efforts stopped was public outrage and street protests.

The president said, “Under our vision, entry with an Israeli passport was banned, and we will continue to move forward based on that belief.” He added that “the only exception is Israel” when describing the country’s foreign relations, making clear that the Maldives may be open to the world but not to Israel. He also said the current policy is irreversible under his rule.

Muizzu used the speech, originally intended to celebrate his party’s local election win on the island, to frame the boycott as part of a broader nationalist and religious agenda. He argued that prioritizing religion, enforcing strong policy, and maintaining security are central to his government’s direction, and said the public can now see who acts out of patriotism and who favors warmer ties with foreign states.