The Maldives has officially banned the entry of visitors holding Israeli passports, a move that reflects the island nation’s protest against Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s office announced the decision following a recommendation from the Cabinet, stating that laws would be amended to enforce this ban. Furthermore, a subcommittee will be established to oversee these efforts.
This drastic step comes amid mounting pressure on President Muizzu from both opposition parties and allies within the government. The decision to prohibit Israeli passport holders is seen as a response to increasing public anger and a show of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The president’s office also revealed plans for a national fundraising campaign to support Palestinians and announced a nationwide rally titled “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”
The move follows President Muizzu’s strong condemnation of a recent Israeli airstrike in Rafah that resulted in the deaths of 45 people in a tent camp, an area previously designated as a safe zone for civilians. On social media platform X, Muizzu called for Israel to adhere to International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings, cease hostilities, and ensure humanitarian access to Gaza.
Impact on Tourism and International Relations
The ban on Israeli passport holders is a significant shift in Maldives’ policy. The country had lifted an earlier ban in the 1990s and moved towards normalizing relations with Israel in 2010.
However, this process faced setbacks, particularly after the ousting of former President Mohamed Nasheed in 2012. The new ban reverses decades of diplomatic efforts and highlights the volatility of the Maldives’ foreign policy towards Israel.
According to official data, 528 Israeli nationals visited the Maldives in the first four months of 2024, a sharp decline from the 4,644 Israeli tourists during the same period the previous year.
The Israeli foreign ministry responded to the ban by advising its citizens to avoid traveling to the Maldives. They also recommended that Israeli citizens currently in the country consider leaving, warning that assistance in case of distress would be challenging under the new circumstances.
The Maldives is not the only country to restrict entry to Israeli passport holders. Other nations with similar bans include Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen.
This pattern of travel restrictions underscores the broader regional tensions and the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding Israel.
Public and Political Reactions
Domestically, President Muizzu’s decision has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters view the ban as a principled stand against what they perceive as Israeli aggression in Gaza. The announcement of the national fundraising campaign and the solidarity rally has garnered significant support from pro-Palestinian activists and organizations within the Maldives.
Conversely, critics argue that the ban could have adverse effects on the Maldivian economy, particularly the tourism sector, which is a vital part of the nation’s GDP.
They also warn that the move might isolate the Maldives on the international stage and complicate relations with countries that maintain ties with Israel.
The decision also raises questions about the Maldives’ commitment to international diplomatic norms and its role in global politics. By aligning itself more closely with the Palestinian cause, the Maldives is positioning itself within a broader coalition of nations opposed to Israeli policies, which could influence its diplomatic relations and foreign aid dynamics.
The Maldives’ shift in policy reflects a growing trend in some nations to take definitive stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, often driven by domestic political pressures and public opinion.
As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, the implications of such decisions will likely reverberate through international relations and impact the global geopolitical landscape.
President Muizzu’s administration now faces the challenge of balancing domestic support for the Palestinian cause with the practicalities of maintaining international diplomatic and economic relations.
The full impact of the ban on Israeli passport holders will unfold in the coming months, revealing the complexities of international diplomacy in a highly polarized world.
