The Maldives bans entry of Israelis in solidarity with Palestinians
The Maldives announced on Tuesday banning entry of Israelis into the luxury archipelago, in response to "the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people".
The step comes as a new provision to the country's Immigration Act was introduced to expressly prohibit the entry of individuals holding Israeli passports into the territory of the Republic of Maldives.
A statement from the Maldives' President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's office said that he has ratified the third amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act, following its passage by the People's Majlis.
"The Government of Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause and its enduring commitment to the promotion and protection of the rights of the Palestinian people," it said.
"The Maldives continues to advocate for accountability for violations of international law and remains vocal across various international platforms in its condemnation of Israel's actions."
Dr Muizzu has consistently reiterated the Maldives' principled support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and international legal norms.
The Maldives, a tiny Islamic republic of more than 1,000 strategically located coral islets, is known for its secluded sandy white beaches, shallow turquoise lagoons and Robinson Crusoe-style getaways.
The Indian Ocean nation said in June that it will ban Israelis from the luxury tourist hot spot.
The Maldives had lifted a previous ban on Israeli tourists in the early 1990s and moved to restore relations in 2010.
However, normalisation attempts were scuttled following the toppling of president Mohamed Nasheed in February 2012.
Official data showed the number of Israelis visiting the Maldives dropped to 528 in the first four months of 2024, down 88 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
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