Malé (TDI): The Maldives Government has officially enacted a nationwide ban prohibiting Israeli passport holders from entering the country.
The decision, approved in a recent Cabinet session chaired by President Mohamed Muizzu, reflects the island nation’s response to the ongoing Israeli military oppression in Gaza, which has drawn deep criticism globally.
The ban, which takes immediate effect, was confirmed on June 2, 2024, through an official statement from the President’s Office.
The Maldivian Government has further directed the Attorney General’s Office and other relevant state agencies to draft the necessary legal amendments to ensure the enforcement of the policy.
President Muizzu’s Office stated that the Government’s approval shows a strong response to the ongoing violence and acts of genocide by Israel against the Palestinian people.
“The Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause,” the statement further read.
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Alongside the entry restrictions, President Muizzu’s administration has announced plans to launch a national fundraising campaign aimed at supporting the humanitarian needs of Palestinians in the Occupied territories.
The Government will also appoint a dedicated special envoy tasked with identifying and assessing aid opportunities for the Palestinian population.
Diplomatic ties between the Maldives and Israel have historically been limited. The Maldives first suspended its diplomatic relationship with Israel in 1974.
While some cooperation agreements in fields like tourism, health, and education were signed between 2009 and 2010, these engagements did not lead to a full restoration of diplomatic ties.
Under various administrations, relations have remained at a minimal or symbolic level, with no formal embassies established in either country.
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The new policy comes at a time when the Maldives continues to host tourists from a number of countries, though Israeli visitors form only a minor portion of its tourism sector.
According to the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, in February 2024, only fifty nine Israeli nationals visited the country out of over 214,000 total tourist arrivals for that month.
The announcement comes amid increased global focus on the Israel-Gaza conflict, with several countries and organizations voicing concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza following months of unlawful military action.
The Maldivian government has underscored that the entry ban and aid initiatives are part of its broader foreign policy positioning in alignment with international human rights discussions and solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Areeba Kanwal is a contributor at The Diplomatic Insight and has passion for International Relations and diplomacy.
