maldives-bans-israeli-tourists-over-gaza-conflict

The Maldivian government announced on Sunday that it will be amending laws to prohibit Israeli passport holders from entering the Indian Ocean archipelago. This decision comes in response to public outrage over the recent Israeli military actions in Gaza.

 

Home Minister Ali Ihusan made the announcement during an emergency press briefing at the President's Office. The cabinet has formed a special committee of ministers to fast-track the legal amendments required to enforce the ban on Israeli passport holders entering the Maldives.

 

The Maldives, which typically welcomes over one million tourists annually, including around 15,000 from Israel, will need to implement legal reforms to enforce the ban.

 

In addition to the travel ban, the cabinet also decided to appoint a special presidential envoy to assess the support needed by Palestine and to organize fundraising events to assist Palestinians through the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

 

The decision to ban Israeli passport holders follows the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, which escalated after Hamas initiated an attack on Israel. 

 

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Israeli authorities reporting over 800 deaths and 240 hostages taken by Hamas. 

 

In response, Israel launched a large-scale counter-offensive, resulting in more than 36,000 deaths in Gaza, including women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.