Maldives will ban the entry of Israeli citizens, will hold a march in support of Gaza

International Desk
The Muizzu government of Maldives has supported Palestine in the Israel-Gaza war. The government has decided to ban Israeli passports by changing the passport rules in the country. After the decision comes into force, Israeli citizens will not be able to enter the Maldives. The Muizzu government of Maldives has supported Palestine in the Israel-Gaza war. The government has decided to ban Israeli passports by changing the passport rules in the country. After the decision comes into force, Israeli citizens will not be able to enter the Maldives.
On Sunday (June 2), Maldives Home Minister Ali Ihussan said that it has been decided to make legal amendments to ban Israeli passport holders from entering Maldives. The cabinet has also formed a special committee to expedite this process. This committee includes senior officers and leaders of the country. At the same time, Israel has issued a warning to its citizens and asked them not to go to Maldives. Those who are present there should leave from there as soon as possible.
Protests have been going on in Male against Israel for 1 month Apart from this, the cabinet has also decided to raise funds for Palestinians and discuss with Muslim countries to support Palestine. Also, 'Maldives with Palestine' rally will also be organized. Home Minister Ali Ihusan said – Our goal is to show solidarity with Palestine. In fact, for almost a month, people have been protesting on the streets in the Maldives capital Male against Israeli attacks in Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories. The people of Maldives have long been demanding a ban on the entry of Israeli citizens into the country.
Go to India, not Maldives – Israeli Embassy saidMeanwhile, the Israeli Embassy in India has made a post appealing Israeli tourists to visit India instead of Maldives. The Israeli Embassy has written – Since Maldives has now banned Israeli tourists, they can visit some beautiful and amazing beaches of India where Israeli tourists are welcomed warmly and with great hospitality. The Israeli Embassy has also posted some pictures of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa and Kerala in its post. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has also instructed its citizens not to travel to Maldives.

The issue was raised in ICJ at the behest of South AfricaBefore Maldives, South Africa had taken an important decision regarding the Israel-Gaza war. South Africa had asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to initiate legal action against Israel. ICJ had also issued a temporary order to stop violent actions against Palestinians in Gaza.
Every year 15 thousand tourists from Israel visit MaldivesEvery year more than one million tourists from different countries visit Maldives, out of which 15 thousand tourists are Israeli citizens. The economy of Maldives also depends on tourism, despite this Maldives has banned the entry of Israeli citizens.
The war between the two has been going on for 8 months In the attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, Hamas took about 234 people hostage and took them to Gaza. So far, there has been a ceasefire between the two sides only once from 24-30 November. Then Hamas and the Israeli army stopped attacks for 7 days. During this time, about 107 hostages were released.
How India's relations with Maldives deteriorated after Muizzu came to power Muizzu had already tarnished his image in India by running the 'India Out' campaign during the Maldives presidential election. The remaining task was completed by his 3 ministers. Actually, PM Modi went on a tour of Lakshadweep on January 4. During this, he praised the beauty of Lakshadweep. He also shared a video of this trip on social media. On this, people commented that it is better to go to Lakshadweep than to spend lakhs of rupees and go to Maldives. This angered the ministers and leaders of Maldives. The woman minister there, Mariam Shiuna, deputy ministers Abdullah Mahjoom Majid and Malsha Sharif made objectionable comments about PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep.
In protest against this, the hashtag BoycottMaldives started trending on social media. Taking action in the matter, Maldives suspended all three ministers. Meanwhile, Muizzu went on a tour of China. Whereas it has mostly been the case that after becoming the President, the leaders of Maldives visit India. Returning from there, Muizzu said that no country can threaten him. Muizzu appealed to the people of China to visit his country to support Maldives. After this, Maldives also ended the Hydrographic Survey Agreement with India.
The dispute with India affected the tourism sector of Maldives. According to statistics, the number of Indians visiting Maldives has declined by 40% in the last 5 months. However, the Foreign Minister of Maldives believes that this is the effect of the election season in India and Maldives. With time, Indian tourists will start visiting Maldives again.