Maldives bans Israeli passport holders in solidarity with Gaza
Maldives government has announced a ban on Israeli passport holders, citing solidarity with Gaza.
This is because of Israel’s ongoing war there, in which it has killed more than 36,400 Palestinians, most of them children and women, since October last year.
Mohamed Muizzu, president of the archipelago in the Indian Ocean, declared the ban without specifying its implementation date.
A national fundraising campaign, dubbed “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine,” also has been launched.
Last year, 11,000 Israelis visited the Maldives, but this year, there’s been an 88% decline.
Israel also urged its citizens in the Maldives to leave, noting difficulties in providing assistance if needed.
The Maldives previously restored relations with Israel in 2010, but efforts faltered after political upheaval in 2012.
Maldives’ ban on Israeli passports is in line with similar moves by member states of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
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