Maldives bans Israeli passport holders in protest

17/4/2025 6:23

The Maldives has banned

Israeli passport holders from entering its territory, the

president's office said on Wednesday, accusing Israel of

committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza war, an

allegation Israel has repeatedly denied.



Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu ratified an amendment to

the country's immigration law after it was passed by parliament

on Tuesday, a statement from his office said.



The amendment introduces a new provision to the Immigration

Act, expressly prohibiting the entry of visitors with Israeli

passports into the Maldives, it added.



"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 statement said.



The Israeli foreign ministry and the country's consular

office in Colombo did not respond to requests for comment.



Israel has consistently rejected any accusation of genocide,

saying it has respected international law and has a right to

defend itself after the cross-border Hamas attack from Gaza on

Oct. 7, 2023 that prompted the war.



South Africa has brought a case against it at the U.N.'s

International Court of Justice and Amnesty International accused

it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza in a

report last December, charges it has denied.



Maldives' Muizzu initially made the call to ban Israeli

passport holders in June 2024 after a cabinet recommendation,

which prompted the Israeli foreign ministry to recommend that

its citizens avoid the archipelago famous for its pristine

beaches and plush resorts.



Tourism is a major driver of the Maldives economy,

accounting for about 21% of its GDP and earning $5.6 billion in

2024, according to government data. The island nation is

expecting earnings of about $5 billion this year.