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The government of the Maldives, a tiny island nation in the Indian Ocean, on Tuesday banned Israeli citizens from entering its territory. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu signed into law a measure prohibiting Israelis from entering the country as a gesture of "firm solidarity with the Palestinian people," according to an official statement from his office.
The decision came shortly after the country's parliament approved the legislation amid ongoing fighting in Gaza and increasing criticism of Israel's actions. The president's statement noted that: "The approval reflects the government's firm stance in response to ongoing atrocities and acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people." The entry ban takes immediate effect.
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The Maldives is a Sunni Muslim island nation located in the Arabian Sea, part of the Indian Ocean, known for its idyllic scenery of white beaches and clear turquoise waters. Israel and the Maldives maintained full diplomatic relations between 1965 and 1974, when ties were suspended. In 2006, Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed announced plans to renew diplomatic relations with Israel, but strong opposition from political groups led to the cancellation of that initiative.
Bilateral relations have been strained for a while
This move by the Maldivian president does not come as a surprise, as back in October 2024, Muizzu took to X to write: "Israel must be held accountable for its unlawful acts in Gaza. The rule of law must be upheld, and Israel must cease its genocidal acts against the Palestinian people."
In June, the Maldivian government announced plans to bar Israelis from entering the country, but the law only went into effect on Tuesday. Until the recent conflict began, the Maldives was a popular tourist destination for Israelis, with nearly 11,000 visiting in 2023 alone. Even after the government's announcement in June, Israelis continued traveling there despite warnings from Israel's Foreign Ministry.
On Tuesday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry reiterated that it had already advised Israeli citizens last year to avoid traveling to the Maldives.