Maldives Moves To Ban Israelis From Entering Country
The Maldives government has decided to ban Israelis from entering the country due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
The decision comes after public anger rose in the predominantly Muslim nation and parliament passed a resolution banning Israeli tourists and products.
According to the Associated Press, the president’s office said Sunday that the Cabinet decided to change laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the country.
A subcommittee will be established to oversee the process.
President Mohamed Muizu will appoint a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs and launch a fundraising campaign.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry recommends Israelis avoid travel to the Maldives, including those with foreign passports.
Nearly 11,000 Israelis visited Maldives in 2023, accounting for 0.6% of total tourist arrivals.
Last week, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva withdrew the country’s ambassador to Israel.
The withdrawal of the Brazilian Ambassador to Israel last Wednesday followed months of tensions between the two countries over the war in Gaza.
The move was announced in Brazil’s official gazette, Associated Press reports.
During a press conference in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa in February, Lula accused Israel of committing “genocide” against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
He likened Israel’s actions in Gaza to the actions of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and other European countries who exterminated their Jewish populations in the first half of the 20th century.
But Israel criticised Lula’s comment and summoned the South American country’s envoy for an official protest and public reprimand.
On Tuesday, May 28, Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognised Palestinian statehood.
The recognition of Palestine by the three European countries angered Israel, which accused the three nations of encouraging terrorism.
