Maldives bans Israeli travelers over ‘continuing atrocities' in Gaza
The Maldives ratified a change this week to its immigration laws to prohibit travelers from entering the country under Israeli passports, in response to Israel's conduct in Gaza.
'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,' the office of President Mohamed Muizzu's said in a statement Wednesday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Jewish leaders condemn John Liu for endorsing Zohran Mamdani for mayor
Jewish leaders and activists have signed an open letter condemning Queens state Sen. John Liu for endorsing staunch Israel foe Zohran Mamdani for mayor, The Post has learned. The letter, signed by more than 60 mostly Jewish residents in the borough, called Liu's endorsement a betrayal. It is set to appear as an ad in local Queens Jewish publications, said the letter's organizer, Michael Nussbaum, a board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and former head of the Queens Jewish Community Council. Advertisement 3 New York City Jewish leaders condemned state Sen. John Liu for endorsing Zohran Mamdani for mayor. Brigitte Stelzer 'Mamdani has made it clear that he is a virulently anti-semite in words and deeds… As a leader in our county, and a representative of a large Jewish population, we consider your endorsement a slap in our face,' states the missive, which shows the Israeli flag with the Star of David in the top right corner. 'Given the history of hateful acts against our community, this support will not go unnoticed,' it says. Advertisement Liu's 16th District in northeast Queens has a significant Jewish population and his endorsement was a coup for Mamdani. Mamdani supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel and has opposed its right to exist as a Jewish state. Liu, a former city comptroller and councilman, is an Asian-American trailblazer who is widely respected. 3 Liu endorsed Mamdani despite saying they have a 'big disagreement' on Israel. X / @ZohranKMamdani Advertisement Nussbaum told The Post he has known the state senator for decades and respects him as a gifted politician and good public servant — and that's why he was shocked that Liu was backing the most anti-Jewish and Israeli candidate in the race. 'Why would he attach his name to someone who is an enemy of Israel and the Jewish people?' Nussbaum asked. During his June 2 endorsement of Mamdani, Liu noted that he had a 'big disagreement' with the Democratic socialist assemblyman on the 'the issue of Israel and how the Jewish community needs to be viewed in this social climate.' Nussbaum said he didn't 'buy Liu's explanation' for backing Mamdani. Advertisement 3 The letter to Liu from Jewish leaders. The wellbeing of the Jewish people is the defining issue in this race given the rise in antisemitism, he said. Other signatories of the letter include former CUNY trustee Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, Yaniv Meirov, CEO at Chazaq Organization; cantor Alan Brava of the Free Synagogue of Flushing, Zev Berman, executive vice president of the Queens Jewish Community, retired judges Jeremy Weinstein and Jeff Leibowitz, and David Aronov of the UJA Federation of New York. In closing, the letter quotes scripture: 'Even my close friend whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.' Liu, in a statement on Tuesday, defended his endorsement of Mamdani but also said he would continue to stand with the Jewish community. 'This public rebuke – and the many private protestations – come from respected individuals and organizations with whom I've worked for many years, and I accept them and the consequences they will bear,' Liu said. 'Notwithstanding the deep disapproval of my endorsement, I will continue to stand with and up for the Jewish community.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Why the U.K. and Allies Sanctioned Israeli Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich
Ben Gvir speaks before aparty meeting at the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem. Credit - Amir Levy—Getty Images The U.K. and several allies have imposed sanctions on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing the two far-right politicians of inciting violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway joined the U.K. in imposing a travel ban on Ben-Gvir—Israel's national security minister and a West Bank settler—and Finance Minister Smotrich. The five governments also froze any assets either may have in their countries. 'Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable,' said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. 'This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.' The British government reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution and described the ongoing violence against Palestinians in the West Bank as 'completely unacceptable.' The sanctions come as the U.K. and other European nations increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to lift the blockade on aid into Gaza, where humanitarian experts warn that famine is imminent. "Britain has already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we cannot do it again,' responded Smotrich, referring to a 1939 British document limiting Jewish migration. 'We are determined God willing to continue building," Smotrich added, speaking at the inauguration of a new settlement in the Hebron Hills. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the sanctions as 'outrageous,' adding that the government would convene a special meeting to determine its response to what he called an 'unacceptable decision.' Here's what to know about the sanctions. The British Foreign Office said the sanctions imposed on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich were effective immediately due to their 'repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians.' The Israeli cabinet ministers are now subject to a U.K. travel ban, will have any assets in the country frozen, and are barred from directing, managing or promoting a British company. The Foreign Office called on the Israeli government to crack down on settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, and emphasized that 'measures today cannot be seen in isolation from events in Gaza, where Israel must uphold international humanitarian law.' In May, the British government announced it was suspending negotiations with Israel on a prospective trade agreement. On May 19, Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron in signing a joint statement condemning both Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. An estimated 529,455 Jewish settlers currently live in settlements in the West Bank, excluding those living in East Jerusalem. The United Nations considers these settlements illegal under international law. Violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has escalated since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack on Israel, during which militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took around 250 others hostage. Between Jan. 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, at least 616 Palestinians, including 115 children, had been killed by settlers or the Israeli military according to the U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In the same period, OCHA recorded 1,936 incidents of violence toward Palestinians, with 41,272 being displaced in the West Bank. Cabinet members Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich lead far-right parties that had been regarded as outside the mainstream of Israeli politics until Benjamin Netanyahu invited them into a ruling coalition—which they now hold the power to disband. Smotrich's Religious Zionism party holds 14 seats in the 120-seat Knesset while Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party holds six. The two ministers are known for their far-right political views and strong support for Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank. Smotrich, born in the occupied Golan Heights in 1980, has repeatedly called for Israeli settlers to return to Gaza. On May 30, Smotrich announced plans to establish 22 new settlements in the West Bank—a move widely regarded as illegal under international law. He called the expansion a 'historic decision,' saying, 'We have succeeded in creating a profound strategic change, returning the State of Israel to a path of construction, Zionism, and vision.' Self-described as a 'fascist homophobe,' Smotrich has previously advocated for government reprisal attacks on Palestinians and supported segregated maternity wards for Jewish and Arab mothers. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, has a long history of far-right activism. A former disciple of the extremist Rabbi Meir Kahane, Ben-Gvir was known in his youth for his affiliation with Kach, a Jewish supremacist group outlawed in both Israel and the United States as a terrorist organization. By his early 30s, he had been convicted of incitement to racism and supporting a terrorist organization. Though he has since rebranded himself as a mainstream political figure, Ben-Gvir continues to advocate for hardline policies against Palestinians and is a vocal proponent of expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Contact us at letters@
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Israel objects to foreign nations sanctioning its officials
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich won't be exploring London anytime soon. The United Kingdom sanctioned the two firebrands and imposed travel bans on them. The U.K. is not alone in acting against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich; Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway have joined in. The foreign ministers of all five countries issued a joint statement on their decision to sanction the ministers and implement "other measures targeting" them. "Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous," the statement read. Netanyahu Accuses The Uk, France And Canada Of 'Enabling Hamas' The foreign ministers say that their actions against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich stem from issues in the West Bank, but that their measures "cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza." Ben-Gvir responded in a post on X, saying, "While the European colonial countries fantasize that we Jews are still their subjects, the streets of their famous cities are being taken over by radical Islam. But their campaign of appeasement for the Hamas terrorists will not save them. When they finally wake up, it will be too late!" Read On The Fox News App Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar slammed the move, calling it "outrageous." "We were informed about the U.K. decision to include two of our ministers on the British Sanctions list. It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kinds of measures," Sa'ar said on Tuesday. "I discussed it earlier today with [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision." Controversial Israeli Official Says His Country Can Learn From America's Gun Laws Sa'ar also put out a statement on X criticizing the five nations, particularly the U.K. "The British Mandate for the land of Israel ended in May 1948. It will never return," Sa'ar wrote. "The actions and decisions against Israel also contribute to hardening Hamas' stance in the negotiations for the hostage deal – and distance it and the ceasefire." Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the actions taken against the Israeli officials. "These sanctions do not advance U.S.-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war. We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organization that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace. We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is. The United States urges the reversal of the sanctions and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel," Rubio's statement read. The countries that signed the joint statement have been vocal critics of Israel during its war against Hamas. In May, Canada, the U.K. and France said in a statement that they "strongly oppose the expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza." They also said that Israel allowing only "a basic quantity of food into Gaza" was "wholly inadequate." "We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response," the statement from May read. In a joint statement on the Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations (ANZMIN), the countries called for a ceasefire in Gaza and condemned Israel's "treatment of U.N. agencies." Australia and New Zealand defended the controversial United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the statement, saying that "no organization can replace or substitute" its ability to serve the Palestinian population. The U.S. stopped funding UNRWA under former President Joe Biden. Under President Donald Trump, the Department of Justice ruled that the agency was no longer immune to lawsuits – a decision that allowed the families of more than 100 victims of the Oct. 7 attacks to sue the agency, demanding $1 billion in article source: Israel objects to foreign nations sanctioning its officials
