Maldives Reconsiders Blanket Ban On Israeli Passport Holders

[Social Media]

 

The Maldives government is grappling with a contentious decision to ban Israeli tourists, reflecting the complexities of national sentiment and economic reliance on tourism. The initial announcement on June 10, followed by a swift move in Parliament to amend immigration laws, aimed to bar entry to Israeli passport holders and those with dual citizenship. However, this policy has encountered significant pushback and reconsideration.

 

Attorney General Ahmed Usham indicated on June 13 that the proposed ban would likely not be a "blanket" prohibition on all Israeli citizens. The government decided to amend the bill to address concerns particularly affecting Arab Muslim or Palestinian citizens of Israel. Usham noted the complications of a complete ban, emphasizing, “There are a lot of Palestinian citizens who hold the Israeli passport, counting in the millions. So what would happen if we do a blanket ban like that, these are matters we should think about a little.” 

 

The bill, originally proposed by opposition MP Meekail Naseem from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), followed President Mohamed Muizzu’s earlier resolution to impose a ban on Israeli passports. With the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) pushing forward, the measure quickly became a legislative priority. The Maldives Parliament unanimously accepted the bill and sent it for committee review, illustrating the depth of support for this action among lawmakers.

 

However, the government’s stance has shifted amid concerns over potential legal issues and the broader implications for the country. Usham denied that the government had reversed its position but acknowledged the need to carefully consider the ramifications of a blanket ban, particularly regarding Israelis with dual citizenship or diplomatic passports.

 

The proposed ban resonates with the popular will of the Maldivian people, who are predominantly Sunni Muslim and have historically sympathized with Palestinian refugees. This sentiment was further fueled by recent events in Gaza, where the rising civilian death toll sparked public outrage. In mid-November, demonstrators gathered outside Parliament, demanding the ban on Israeli tourists. The following day, the foreign relations committee advised the president to proceed with the prohibition, and a non-binding resolution to that effect was unanimously passed in early January.

 

Despite these strong sentiments, the Muizzu administration initially maintained that the president could not unilaterally enforce such a ban, leaving it to the opposition-controlled Parliament to pass the necessary legal changes. The pressure intensified after the PNC won a supermajority in April’s parliamentary election, culminating in the announcement amid a growing public outcry.

 

While there is a consensus in favor of the ban, concerns have arisen about its potential impact on the Maldives’ tourism-dependent economy. Resort operators fear that the ban could undermine the country's reputation as a welcoming destination that offers on-arrival visas to tourists from all nations. An industry veteran, speaking anonymously to local outlet Dhauru, highlighted the risks, stating, “The Maldives is famous as a very hospitable country where everyone can spend their holiday very peacefully and safely. But such actions [as banning nationals of certain countries] are diametrically opposed to that. So travel agents will be hesitant and we are getting questions about what’s happening.”

 

An unnamed source echoed these sentiments in an interview with Sun, warning that the Maldives’ brand as a safe haven for people of all faiths and nationalities could suffer. The source cautioned that the ban could foster a perception of antisemitism or religious extremism, potentially deterring foreign tourists.

 

While some voices on social media, including a state minister and a local tour operator, have criticized the blanket ban and suggested targeting Israeli leaders instead, supporters argue that Palestinians with Israeli citizenship could still visit the Maldives using other travel documents.

 

Israeli tourists, mainly surfers, began visiting the Maldives after a previous ban was lifted in the early 1990s. Despite not being a significant market, Israeli tourists represented 0.58 percent of arrivals last year. Official figures show that 10,966 Israelis visited the Maldives in 2023, down from a peak of 15,748 tourists in 2022. In the first four months of 2024, just over 500 Israeli tourists visited the Maldives.

 

Following the government’s announcement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry advised Israeli tourists to leave the Maldives and urged its citizens to avoid traveling there, stating, “Because if they find themselves in distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to assist.”

 

The imminent ban received extensive international media coverage, earning both praise and criticism. The announcement prompted a U.S. member of Congress to propose legislation to cut off American aid to the Maldives. In response, local protests have continued outside outlets of Western franchises such as Pizza Hut and KFC as part of a broader boycott campaign.

 

Despite the intense debate, President Muizzu launched a fundraising telethon on Wednesday dedicated to aid for Palestinians, appealing for Maldivians to “display an abundance of generosity.” The 15-hour telethon organized by state media raised nearly $650,000. The government is also planning a nationwide rally under the slogan “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”

 

During Monday’s parliamentary debate on the immigration bill, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim from the ruling PNC advised the reviewing committee to carefully assess the potential economic and national security consequences. Parliamentarian Qasim Ibrahim, owner of the Villa resorts, opposed the ban on the grounds that a Muslim nation should not bar entry to Jews, referring to their status in Islam as followers of a previous revelation of Allah. Ibrahim urged MPs to “think deeply” before approving the ban, noting, “There are lots of Islamic countries in the world aside from the Maldives. But this might be the first Parliament where taking such a step has been proposed.”

 

Credit: The Diplomat 2024-06-20

 

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[aussiebrian]

You forgot the Christians, Buddhists and all the other religions living in Israel. Easier, just say you are anti Semitic and ban Jews. 

[daejung]

Maldives is a dictatorship, with charia

Edited June 20 by daejung

[JonnyF]

Seems like The Maldives saw TAT shooting itself in the foot a few times and took off it's shirt and shouted "Hold my Beer".

[tonbridgebrit]

On 6/20/2024 at 9:05 AM, JonnyF said:

Seems like The Maldives saw TAT shooting itself in the foot a few times and took off it's shirt and shouted "Hold my Beer".

TAT shot itself in the foot ?  As far as I know,  Thailand is back to being flooded by foreign tourists.  Yes, there seems to be fewer Chinese tourists nowadays, compared to prior Covid in 2019.  But give it another year, I think the Chinese tourists staying in China's beaches will be flooding back into Thailand.

[Tropicalevo]

On 6/20/2024 at 3:38 AM, Social Media said:

The 15-hour telethon organized by state media raised nearly $650,000.

So the Maldives supports murder and kidnapping by terrorists.

Very sad and off my holiday list.