The Maldives has officially barred entry to holders of Israeli passports, a decision linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. President Mohamed Muizzu announced this significant change on Tuesday, revealing that the country’s Immigration Act has been amended to reflect this new policy.
Muizzu’s statement highlighted that this step was taken following Israel’s violation of a ceasefire agreement with Palestine. He expressed that the amendment serves as a firm stance against what he described as “atrocities in Palestine,” reiterating the Maldives’ steadfast support for the Palestinian people in his Instagram post.
Tensions escalated after Israel reportedly breached a ceasefire established on January 19, 2025, by conducting a surprise airstrike in March. Israel claims this action aimed to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining 59 hostages taken during the conflict that began on October 7, 2023. The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of numerous Palestinian civilians.
With this policy shift, the Maldives is positioning itself as a vocal critic of Israeli actions in the region, further aligning itself with pro-Palestinian sentiments.