Maldives Bans Israeli Nationals Amid Gaza Conflict, Effective June 2, 2024

Jun 2, 2024, 03:04 PM

The Maldives has imposed a ban on the entry of Israeli nationals into the country, effective from June 2, 2024. This decision comes amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The Maldivian government, under President Muizzu, announced the ban as a show of support for the Palestinian people. Additionally, the Maldives has appointed a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs. The move aligns the Maldives with other countries, including Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen, which also do not recognize Israeli passports for entry. A statement from the Maldivian President's office confirmed the decision, noting that Israeli passports are not accepted in 28 countries.