The Maldives has officially barred Israeli passport holders from entering the country, citing what President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu called a “firm stance” against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The decision, announced Tuesday by the President’s Office, comes as part of an amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act. It reflects what the government describes as a response to the “continuing atrocities and acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.”
In the statement, the Maldives reaffirmed its “resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause” and emphasized its commitment to defending the rights of Palestinians. The government also called for accountability for violations of international law and reiterated its demand for an independent Palestinian state based on the 1949 armistice lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The ban was initially disclosed by Homeland Security and Technology Minister Ali Ihsaan in June. Following that announcement, the cabinet moved to amend relevant laws and formed a subcommittee to oversee implementation.
President Muizzu has made support for Palestine a key element of his foreign policy. In his February 2025 address to Parliament, he highlighted the Palestinian cause as a national priority. In October, he announced that the Maldives had filed a declaration of intervention supporting South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
