The government of the Maldives announced Sunday (Jun. 2) that it would ban Israeli passport holders from the country in response to the continuing war Israel is waging on Gaza. 

The Associated Press reported that the office and cabinet of President Mohamed Muizu decided to reform its laws to prevent Israelis from entering the predominantly Muslim Indian Ocean archipelago, as well as to establish a subcommittee to oversee the process. 

A government statement added that Muizu would also appoint a special envoy to assess Palestinians' needs and launch a fundraising campaign. 

Banning Israelis in the Maldives

Ever since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, official data showed that the number of Israels visiting the Maldives dropped to 528 in the first four months of 2024, an 88% drop compared to figures from the same period last year. 

Al Jazeera reported that the new foreign policy on Israel was announced after politicians in the Maldives pressured Muizzu to ban Israelis as a sign of protest against the war on Gaza. It was also a reversal from its early 1990s effort to normalize relations with Israel, which was discontinued in 2012 following the deposition of former president Mohamed Nasheed. 

Aside from the Maldives, Israeli passport holders have also not been allowed in several countries in the Arab world, including Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, and Iran. 

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Israeli Officials Urge Passport Holders to Leave the Maldives

Meanwhile, The Times of Israel reported that the Israeli foreign ministry responded Sunday by recommending its passport holders to leave the tropical island destination immediately, saying that it would be difficult to assist them if they find themselves in danger or if the diplomatic situation gets worse. 

Israel already issued a travel warning urging Israelis to avoid visiting the Maldives "due to the heightened anti-Israeli atmosphere, including public comments by officials."

Israel and the Maldives originally had diplomatic relations until they were suspended in 1974, and have practically abandoned them since 2014.

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