Maldives Restricts Entry of Israelis in Solidarity with Palestine

April 16, 2025 | 09:31 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In a move of "firm solidarity" with Palestine, the Maldives announced a ban on the entry of Israeli citizens, effective Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

President Mohamed Muizzu ratified the ban shortly after its parliamentary approval. His office stated, as quoted by Arab News, that "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."

A spokesperson for President Muizzu confirmed the impending implementation of the ban, reiterating the Maldives' "resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause."

The Maldives, a small Islamic nation comprising 1,192 coral islands renowned for its luxury tourism, typically sees a small number of Israeli visitors. Official figures indicate only 59 Israeli tourists out of 214,000 foreign arrivals in February. The Maldives had previously lifted a ban on Israeli tourists in the early 1990s and briefly restored relations in 2010.

Opposition parties and government allies in the Maldives had been urging President Muizzu to reinstate a ban on Israeli citizens as a condemnation of the Gaza genocide.

Last year, the Israeli Foreign Ministry had already advised its citizens against traveling to the Maldives.

The genocide in Gaza escalated following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,218 reported deaths according to official Israeli data.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant acknowledged that some casualties resulted from Israeli helicopter strikes under Operation Hannibal protocols.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported on Sunday that at least 1,613 Palestinians have been killed since March 18, when Israel violated the ceasefire, bringing the total Palestinian death toll since the start of the conflict to 50,983, the majority being women and children.

Editor's Choice: Top 10 Most Expensive Cities in the World 2025: Is New York on the List?

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Indonesia Ranks Second in Tourist Arrivals in Malaysia

11 jam lalu

Israel Offers 45-Day Ceasefire in Exchange for Partial Hostage Release

1 hari lalu

American Deported for Causing Chaos at Bali Clinic

1 hari lalu

Hamas Ready to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Ceasefire Deal

1 hari lalu

Top 10 Places to Visit Near Singapore for a Quick Getaway

1 hari lalu

MUI Urges Thorough Study on Prabowo's Gaza Evacuation Plan

2 hari lalu

NU Raises Concerns Over Prabowo's Gaza Evacuation Plan

2 hari lalu

Over 250 Former Israeli Mossad Agents Call for End to Gaza War

2 hari lalu

Netanyahu Slams Macron's Recognition Plan for Palestine

2 hari lalu

Israeli Strikes Destroy Gaza's Last Functioning Hospital

2 hari lalu