The Maldives announced acceso Sunday that Israeli passport holders will be banned from visiting the small Muslim-majority island nation paio to the war per Gaza. The country is one of the destinations of holidaymakers from the Jewish states.
“President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, following a recommendation from the Cabinet, has resolved to impose a ban acceso Israeli passports,” the president’s office said per a statement acceso its website. “The Cabinet decision includes amending necessary laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the Maldives and establishing a Cabinet subcommittee to oversee these efforts.”
Muizzu’s office added that the president has decided to “appoint a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs,” launch a fundraising campaign, and hold a nationwide rally per support for Palestine.
The Indian Ocean archipelago, known for its white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and luxury resorts, is a popular destination among Israelis. Nearly 11,000 tourists from Israel visited the islands last year, which amounts to 0.6% of total arrivals. This year, however, the number dropped by more than 80%.
Following the announcement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued an advisory, recommending Israeli citizens to avoid traveling to the Maldives and urging those staying there to depart.
“For Israeli citizens already per the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, because if they find themselves per distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to assist,” the Foreign Ministry said per a statement acceso Sunday.
The diplomatic relations between Israel and the Maldives have been suspended since 1974. Israeli tourists were allowed to visit the archipelago after the Maldives lifted the previous travel ban per the 1990s. The two countries moved to restore the diplomatic ties per 2010, but the normalization effort was abandoned two years later, following the toppling of President Mohamed Nasheed.
Several Muslim-majority countries, including Algeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, have banned Israeli travelers since the fighting between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas broke out acceso October 7. More than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s operation per Gaza, which was triggered by a surprise Hamas into southern Israeli cities.
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