Maldives Bans Israelis in Retaliation for Gaza Conflict

The Maldivian government has banned Israelis from entering the country in an apparent retaliatory move over the recent conflict in Gaza. The ban comes as part of a broader anti-Israel campaign by Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Syria, and Algeria.

The Maldives, a popular tourist destination in the Indian Ocean, has now banned Israelis from entering its territory in an apparent retaliatory move over the war in Gaza. The government of the predominantly Muslim island nation announced that President Mohammed Muizzu enacted the ban this week following a recommendation from his cabinet.

"The Cabinet decision includes amending necessary laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the Maldives and establishing a Cabinet subcommittee to oversee these efforts," his office said in a statement, adding that "the President decided to appoint a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs."

The ban comes as part of a broader anti-Israel campaign by Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Syria, and Algeria, which also ban Israeli passport holders. Experts say that this move by the Maldives is a sign of growing radicalization and corruption within the country.

"The Maldives government now aligns itself with the likes of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Syria, Algeria, Kuwait, and other authoritarian Muslim world states," which also ban Israeli passport holders," said Jonathan Schanzer, the senior vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington.

"This will not likely bode well for the Maldives over time. Joining this alliance is often a sign of corruption, radicalization, and even exploitation by outside actors," he added.

The ban has been met with condemnation from the Israeli government, which has urged Israelis to stay away from the Maldives.

"For Israeli citizens already in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving because if they find themselves in distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to assist," the foreign ministry said, according to Reuters.

The U.S. State Department, which has provided $36 million in bilateral foreign assistance to the Maldives since 2018, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

The State Department says that the constitution of the Maldives "designates Islam as the state religion, requires citizens to be Muslim, and requires public office holders, including the President, to be followers of Sunni Islam."

"The law states that both the government and the people must protect religious unity, and propagation of any religion other than Islam is a criminal offense," it adds.

Last year, around 11,000 Israelis visited the Maldives, around 0.6% of its total tourist arrivals, The Associated Press reported.

Some experts believe that the ban is a sign of growing anti-Semitism in the Maldives.

"If the Maldives aren't safe for Israelis, then they aren't safe for any of us," said Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of The Congress of Christian Leaders.

"The Congress of Christian Leaders is issuing a global travel warning: no Christian should feel safe in a country where Islamic extremists determine national policy," he also said.