Maldives moves to enact permanent ban on Israeli passport holders, blocks Israeli investment

President Muizzu explained that earlier proposals sought to prohibit entry "until Israel halted the genocide that began following 7 October 2023."Follow us on GooglePresident of the Maldives Mohamed Muizzu addresses the "Summit of the Future" in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2024.(photo credit: REUTERS/David Dee Delgado)NOVEMBER 10, 2026 19:46The Maldives is moving to make its ban on Israeli passport holders permanent, with President Mohamed Muizzu announcing on Monday that Israelis "will not be permitted to enter the Maldives under any circumstances."During a press conference held at the President’s Office yesterday, Muizzu explained that earlier proposals sought to prohibit entry "until Israel halted the genocide that began following 7 October 2023."However, the current Bill provides for an unconditional ban on entry for anyone holding an Israeli passport, irrespective of changing circumstances.Muizzi accuses Israel of genocideMuizzi referred to Israel’s actions against the Palestinian people as "genocide," adding that the Maldives had consistently maintained this position on international platforms and advocated for the Palestinian cause through various legal avenues.Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu attends the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 12, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/MAXIM SHEMETOV)"We do not accept the genocide being carried out by Israel against the Palestinian people, and it is something the Maldivian people cannot accept under any circumstances,” he said.He told the media that the proposed Immigration Bill had been drafted to reflect these considerations and clearly establish the Maldives’ position on the matter.The government has submitted the amendment to the Immigration Act to the People’s Majlis.It is not clear how the proposed entry ban would affect Israeli citizens who hold dual nationality.Government moves to prohibit Israeli individuals, companies from investing in property developmentThe government has also submitted a separate real estate bill to parliament that would prohibit Israeli individuals and companies from investing in property developments or purchasing property in the Maldives.While Muizzu told the press that Israelis with a second nationality may be able to enter on another passport, he said they cannot invest, as buyers will be screened.The original ban on Israeli entry came into place last year; however, the Maldives' hostility towards Israel is not new.The president’s February 2025 presidential address for the opening session of the parliament emphasized the priority of the Palestinian cause in its foreign policy.In October, Muizzu announced that his country had filed a declaration of intervention for South Africa’s International Court of Justice application against alleged actions in Gaza.Former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stated in October 2023 that the country’s commitment to Palestinians was due to the country’s Islamic character, as he believed it was “the sacred responsibility of the entire Islamic Ummah to collectively work towards alleviating the suffering of oppressed Muslims globally.”In the Maldives, citizenship can only be held by Muslims, according to the Foreign Ministry's immigration website.Michael Starr contributed to this report.Follow us on Google