'Ongoing acts of genocide in Gaza': Maldives becomes recent country to ban entry of Israelis

The government of the Maldives has made a big move by excluding Israeli passport holders from entering the country. The move is after Israel's "continued atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza. The Maldives' move shows its clear condemnation of what Israel has done in Gaza and its willingness to stand by the Palestinian cause.

Key details of the ban

The prohibition was voted on unanimously by the Maldives parliament, showing a collective opposition to Israel's move. A new clause has been inserted into the Immigration Act, clearly banning the entry of Israeli nationals into the Maldives. The action is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the tourism sector, with almost 11,000 Israelis having visited the Maldives during the previous year.

Regional context

Maldives' decision is part of a wider regional pattern. A number of nations in the Middle East, such as Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen, already have bans on Israeli citizens entering those countries.Bangladesh, recently, also said that it would be putting "except Israel" on all passports to ensure its citizens were not able to travel to Israel's behavior.

Gaza conflict update

The Gaza war, which started on October 7, 2023, has caused a massive loss of life, with more than 50,000 Palestinians dead. The fighting resumed after a short-lived ceasefire, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that combat operations had resumed "in full force". The international community has been urging a ceasefire and a peaceful end to the conflict.

Impact on tourism

The tourism business of the Maldives will likely be affected by the ban because Israeli tourists won't be allowed to visit there anymore. Still, the Maldives government could try to approach other markets in order to alleviate the effects. The tourism sector of the nation has been on the rise lately, and the government might instead target visitors from other nations. 

International reaction

The move by the Maldives to black list Israeli nationals has received a lot of global attention.Human rights groups have welcomed the Maldives' move against Israel for its actions in Gaza. The move has faced opposition from some nations, which have raised the issue of how it could affect tourism and trade.