Malé, Maldives (Agencies): In a bold move reflecting its solidarity with the Palestinian people, the Maldives has announced a ban on Israeli tourists entering the luxury island nation. President Mohamed Muizzu ratified the legislation shortly after its approval by parliament on Tuesday, marking a significant political stance against the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The decision comes amid mounting pressure from opposition parties and government allies in the Maldives, urging action against what they describe as atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza. The ban is effective immediately, according to a spokesperson for the president’s office.
“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 president’s office stated. “The Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause.”
The Maldives, renowned for its pristine beaches and turquoise lagoons, had previously lifted a ban on Israeli tourists in the early 1990s and briefly restored relations in 2010. However, official data shows that Israeli tourists make up a negligible portion of visitors, with only 59 arrivals recorded in February among 214,000 foreign tourists.
The Gaza war, which erupted following Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, has led to significant casualties on both sides. The conflict escalated further after a ceasefire collapsed in March 2025, with the death toll exceeding 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
This latest move by the Maldives underscores its commitment to the Palestinian cause and highlights the intersection of tourism and geopolitics in the region. The ban is expected to have minimal economic impact but carries strong symbolic weight in the international arena.