Maldives Bars “Israelis”

By Staff, Agencies

The Maldives confirmed that it will ban “Israelis” from entering the country, known for its luxury resorts, with the office of the president making the announcement as public anger in the nation rises over the “Israeli” aggression in Gaza.

President Mohamed Muizzu has “resolved to impose a ban on ‘Israeli’ passports”, a spokesperson for his office said in a statement, without giving details of when the new law would take effect.

In response, “Israel’s” foreign ministry recommended on Sunday that “Israelis” not travel to the Maldives. The recommendation, the “Israeli” ministry said, included “Israelis” with dual citizenship.

Opposition parties and government allies in the Maldives have been putting pressure on Muizzu to ban “Israelis”, as a sign of protest against the Gaza war.

The president’s office said on Sunday that the cabinet decided to change the laws to prevent “Israeli” passport holders from entering the country and to establish a subcommittee to oversee the process.

Muizzu also announced a national fundraising campaign called “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine”.

The Maldives is a tiny Islamic republic of more than 1,000 strategically located coral islets, known for its secluded sandy white beaches, shallow turquoise lagoons and Robinson Crusoe-style getaways.