The number of Israeli tourists visiting Maldives increased in July due to the government's inaction after deciding to bar entry to Israeli passport holders.
According to Immigration statistics, 124 Israeli tourists arrived in Maldives in July compared to 82 in June.
The cabinet decided on June 2, 2024, to make the necessary legal changes for banning the Israeli passport over Israel’s ongoing genocide against the Muslim brothers and sisters of Palestine.
The cabinet’s decision to ban the Israeli passport was announced at a press conference by the Attorney General and four ministers. “Government decides to ban Israeli passport,” read a statement about the decision on the President’s Office website. A ministerial committee was formed for the purpose, the President’s Office said.
The government decided to ban the Israeli passport after repeated calls from the public over Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.
To that end, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) submitted a bill to the Parliament to amend the immigration law. The bill was accepted with the votes of pro-government MPs and sent to the 241 Committee. But work on the bill has since stalled.
After the government made the decision almost three months ago, Attorney General Ahmed Usham suggested that a “blanket” ban to bar any Israeli passport holder from entering the Maldives should be reconsidered.
The remarks drew widespread criticism of the government. The government decided to ban the Israeli passport without any intention of enforcement, several people said.
