The Maldives, a Sunni Muslim island nation located south of India, has announced an entry ban on holders of Israeli passports. This decision was made by the President, Mohamed Moizu, following a recommendation from the Minister of Internal Security and Technologies, Ali Ihsan.
The country’s tourism industry has been booming in recent years, with 185 islands and a population of around 550 thousand people. Despite this growth, the Maldives faced a deficit of 16.5% of GDP in 2022 due to extensive oil imports.
In addition to the entry ban, Moizu appointed a special envoy for Palestinian issues and launched a fundraising campaign through UNRA called “Maldives in solidarity with Palestine.” While there are no direct flights from Israel to the Maldives, travelers often take connecting flights through countries like Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and European nations using airlines like Fly Dubai, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Etihad, Austrian Airlines, Gulf Air, and Wizz Air.
The Maldivian government’s decision includes amending laws to prohibit holders of Israeli passports from entering the country. The move is likely seen as a way to show support for Palestine and distance itself from Israel. However, it may also lead to economic consequences for the country’s tourism industry as many visitors come from Israel or other countries that have close ties with Israel.
