The Maldives has officially banned Israeli passport holders from entering the country, a significant move announced by President Mohamed Muizzu on April 15, 2025. This decision comes amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza and reflects the nation’s solidarity with the Palestinian people, as articulated in a statement from the President’s Office.
The ratification of the Third Amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act was passed by the People’s Majlis, the country’s parliament, earlier on the same day. The amendment prohibits entry to Israeli passport holders, although those with dual nationality can still enter using non-Israeli documents. This legislative change signifies a firm stance against what the Maldives government describes as “ongoing atrocities and acts of genocide” committed by Israel against Palestinians.
In a Facebook post, President Muizzu emphasized that the amendment is a “clear reflection of our stand against the ongoing atrocities in Palestine,” reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to the Palestinian cause. The government has long advocated for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with United Nations resolutions and international law.
Historically, the Maldives, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean with a population of approximately 530,000, has had a complicated relationship with Israel. The country had diplomatic relations with Israel from 1965 until 1974, when ties were severed. Although there were attempts to normalize relations in the early 2010s, these efforts ultimately stalled due to domestic opposition.
Muizzu's decision to ban Israeli passport holders is not entirely unexpected. In June 2024, the government announced plans to implement such a ban, responding to increasing public pressure amid the conflict in Gaza. The Maldives had previously lifted a ban on Israeli tourists in the early 1990s; however, the recent escalation of violence has reignited calls for a more definitive stance against Israel.
As a popular tourist destination, the Maldives had seen a notable influx of Israeli visitors, with over 11,000 Israelis traveling to the archipelago in 2023. However, that number sharply declined in early 2024 as tensions escalated. Official data from February 2025 indicates that only 59 Israeli tourists visited the Maldives that month, among a total of 214,000 foreign arrivals.
In light of the new ban, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to the Maldives and has recommended that Israelis currently in the country consider leaving due to limited consular support. The Israeli government has been vocal in its condemnation of the ban, asserting that it undermines the principles of tourism and international relations.
Muizzu has also announced plans to appoint a special envoy to assess humanitarian needs in the Palestinian territories and to initiate a national fundraising campaign titled “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.” This initiative aims to support humanitarian efforts amidst the ongoing conflict, which has seen significant loss of life and widespread destruction in Gaza.
The ongoing war in Gaza, which reignited on October 7, 2023, following a deadly assault by Hamas, has resulted in a staggering number of casualties. According to Gaza’s health ministry, the death toll among Palestinians has reached over 61,000 since the conflict began, with thousands more reported missing or trapped under rubble. The situation has prompted widespread international outcry and calls for accountability regarding violations of human rights.
In his February 2025 Presidential Address, Muizzu underscored the importance of the Palestinian cause in Maldives’ foreign policy, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to advocating for justice and accountability on various international platforms. The Maldives government continues to voice its condemnation of Israel’s military actions, which it claims disproportionately affect civilians.
As the Maldives takes this definitive step in its foreign policy, the implications for tourism and international relations remain to be seen. The ban on Israeli passport holders marks a significant shift in the Maldives’ approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and reflects broader regional sentiments regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
With the Maldives reaffirming its solidarity with the Palestinian people, it remains a critical player in the discourse surrounding the conflict, advocating for a peaceful resolution and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. The international community will be watching closely as the situation develops, particularly in light of the Maldives’ historical ties and its strategic position in the Indian Ocean.
