• After massive pro-Palestinian uproar in the southeast Asian Muslim world, Maldives has now banned all Israeli citizens from entering its territory.
• Israel has urged all its citizens to leave Maldives out of fear.
The Maldives has announced a complete ban on Israeli citizens entering its country on Tuesday with immediate effect.
The island nation and popular tourist destination has said it is making its decision in resolute solidarity with the Palestinian people.
After being approved by parliament on Tuesday president Mohamed Muizzu ratified the legislation.
The presidential office said: “The ratification reflects the government’s firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.
“The Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause.”
Muizzu also publicised and shared a national fundraising campaign called “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”
The Maldives is known for its beautiful sand beaches and luxury resorts.
Al Jazeera has reported that around 11,000 Israelis travelled to the Maldives in 2024 compromising 0.6% of all tourist arrivals.
Last year Israel urged its citizens to leave the Maldives after a ban on Israeli passport holders leading to just a mere 528 Israelis visiting the nation in the first four months of 2025.
That figure is down 88% from the number of Israelis entering the Maldives in 2024.
The Israeli foreign Ministry said: “For Israeli citizens staying in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, since if they fall into distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to help.”
The ban comes following mass protests in several southeastAsian Muslim countries in solidarity with the Palestinian cause with some estimates putting the number above 1 million in Bangladesh alone.
