The Maldives has announced a ban on Israeli citizens entering the country, known for its luxury resorts, amid rising public anger over the Gaza conflict. President Mohamed Muizzu’s office declared the decision to impose a ban on Israeli passports, although the implementation date has not been specified. Thousands of Israelis visit the Maldives annually.
In response, Israel’s foreign ministry advised its citizens, including dual nationals, against traveling to the Maldives. They also recommended that Israelis currently in the Maldives consider leaving, citing potential difficulties in providing assistance if needed.
This move by the Maldives is part of a broader international backlash against Israel due to the Gaza war, aligning with the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement that began in 2005. Recently, Turkey banned the import and export of goods to and from Israel, leading to significant shortages. Israel, which relies on Turkey for 40% of its concrete, is now seeking more expensive alternatives in Europe. Major Israeli imports like Heinz, Gillette, Braun, and Pampers, supplied by the Israeli company Diplomat, have also been impacted.
Over the weekend, the British coffee chain Pret a Manger canceled a franchise agreement to open 40 cafes in Israel due to the conflict. Additionally, Israeli firms were barred from participating in the Eurosatory arms fair in Paris, with the French defense ministry citing the French president’s call for an end to IDF operations in Rafah. Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is considering divesting from companies with interests in Israel due to the war, under pressure to take further action.
Trinity College Dublin announced last month that it would divest from Israeli companies operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Other European universities, such as the University of Granada and the Free University of Brussels, have also suspended cooperation agreements with Israeli institutions.
The Maldives’ decision follows pressure from opposition parties and government allies in the predominantly Muslim nation. The president’s office indicated that the cabinet had decided to change laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the country and would establish a subcommittee to manage the process. President Muizzu also launched a national fundraising campaign, “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”
The Maldives had previously lifted a ban on Israeli tourists in the early 1990s and restored relations in 2010, but normalization efforts stalled following the ousting of then-President Mohamed Nasheed in 2012. The Maldives, an Islamic republic consisting of over 1,000 coral islets, is famous for its sandy white beaches and turquoise lagoons. Official data showed a significant drop in Israeli visitors to the Maldives, with only 528 visiting in the first four months of this year, an 88% decrease compared to the same period last year.
