The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Israeli citizens currently residing in the Maldives to consider leaving the country. This advisory comes after the Maldivian government announced its decision to amend laws, effectively banning Israeli nationals from entering the nation.
Quoted by Xinhua news agency, the Ministry expressed concerns over potential difficulties in assisting Israeli citizens should they encounter any trouble while in the Maldives. It further recommended that Israeli citizens avoid traveling to the Muslim-majority island nation, regardless of whether they possess a second passport from another country.
The entry ban targeting Israelis was enacted during a cabinet meeting held in the Maldives on Sunday. The decision was reportedly made in response to calls from local citizens, citing recent Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip as the rationale behind the move.
According to Maldivian media, the country hosts over one million tourists annually, with approximately 15,000 visitors originating from Israel.