Maldives bans Israeli tourists, expressing ‘resolute solidarity’ with Palestine 

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. File.
| Photo Credit: PTI

COLOMBO

The Maldives on Tuesday (April 15, 2025) announced a ban on Israeli tourists to the scenic island nation, reaffirming its “resolute solidarity” with the Palestinian cause.

President Mohamed Muizzu ratified the Third Amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act, passed by the parliament or People’s Majlis on 15 April 2025, his office said. The move reflects the government’s “firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people”, a statement from his office said.

Also read: As Sri Lanka expresses solidarity with Palestine, Israeli tourists dominate island’s scenic Arugam Bay

“The Government of Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause and its enduring commitment to the promotion and protection of the rights of the Palestinian people. The Maldives continues to advocate for accountability for violations of international law and remains vocal across various international platforms in its condemnation of Israel’s actions,” it further said.

Israel is not among the top ten source markets of the Indian Ocean archipelago, whose economy relies heavily on tourism. According to data published by Maldivian Tourism authorities, the popular destination of pristine beaches has received as many as 729,932 tourists this year, until April 14, 2025, 70 % of whom went to the resorts located across islands. China is on top, accounting for 11 % of the tourist arrivals, while India is at the sixth place, contributing 5 % of arrivals this year.  The ban on Israeli tourists, announced on Tuesday, comes into effect immediately, a spokesman at the President’s office told news agency AFP.

With Tuesday’s ratification, which formalises the Muizzu government’s earlier pledge to impose a ban on the entry of visitors holding Israeli passports, the Maldives joins Bangladesh and Pakistan in the South Asian region in banning Israeli passport holders from entering their countries. Recently, Bangladesh also reintroduced the “except Israel” inscription on passports debarring its citizens from travelling to Israel, amid mounting public anger over Israel’s relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip, claiming over 50,000 lives in the last 18 months.

The arrival of Israeli tourists has been under the spotlight in Sri Lanka as well, especially with locals raising concern over visitors running businesses illegally around popular tourist sites. Sri Lanka continues to reiterate its “long-standing and unwavering support” for the Palestinian cause.