The Maldives has banned Israeli passport holders amid the Gaza conflict, impacting travel operators and raising new considerations for dual nationals and tourism professionals worldwide.
The Maldives has officially barred Israeli passport holders from entering the country, in a move linked to the ongoing Israel–Hamas war in Gaza. The island nation’s parliament passed an amendment to its immigration law on Monday, followed by swift ratification by President Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday. The government framed the ban as an act of solidarity with Palestinians, citing “continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide” by Israel in Gaza (Israel firmly rejects accusations of genocide in the conflict). The new policy took immediate effect, meaning Israeli passport holders are now prohibited from entering the Maldives until further notice.
Background and Political Context
The Maldives’ decision comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza, which began in October 2023. The predominantly Muslim country has long been vocal in support of the Palestinian cause. It has no current diplomatic relations with Israel – ties have been suspended since 1974 – though Israelis have been permitted to visit as tourists since the early 1990s. Opposition parties and even government allies in the Maldives had been pressuring President Muizzu to take a hard line by banning Israeli visitors as a protest against the Gaza conflict. The President’s office said the policy “reaffirms [Maldives’] resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause”. Notably, the Cabinet had decided in principle to bar Israeli travelers almost a year ago, but the change was only formalized this week amid the Gaza war escalation.
Other countries in South Asia and the Muslim world already bar Israeli passport-holders – for example, Bangladesh and Pakistan do not recognize Israel and do not admit Israeli travelers. However, the Maldives appears to be the first to enact such a ban specifically as a direct response to the current Israel–Gaza war. Maldivian officials have positioned the move as a symbolic stand against Israel’s conduct in Gaza, aligning with public sentiment at home. Israel’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment on the Maldives’ ban, but had earlier advised Israeli citizens to avoid traveling to the Maldives due to rising anti-Israel sentiment during the war.
Details of the Ban and Implementation
The new immigration rule invalidates entry for anyone traveling on an Israeli passport. According to Maldivian authorities, this restriction is being implemented at ports of entry effective immediately. In practical terms, airlines and travel providers will deny boarding to passengers using Israeli passports for Maldives trips, and immigration officers will refuse entry visas on arrival for such passport holders.
Maldives immigration officials have clarified, however, that Israeli citizens with a second passport “would be able to enter the country” on their alternate nationality. In other words, dual nationals can still visit the Maldives using a non-Israeli passport. There is no announced timeframe for lifting the ban; it is presumably in place indefinitely, tied to the duration of the Gaza conflict or until a policy reversal.
No special exemptions have been noted for Israeli passport holders who are already in the Maldives. Those Israeli tourists who entered before the rule change are expected to depart as per their visa limits, but new arrivals will not be permitted. The Maldivian government has also formed a subcommittee to oversee the implementation of the ban, as part of an earlier cabinet decision. The swift enactment and enforcement suggest the policy will be strictly upheld at the Maldives border control. Travel industry partners have been notified of the changes through official statements, and the Maldives Immigration website and airline alerts are being updated accordingly.
Israeli Tourism Numbers to the Maldives
Israeli visitors have historically comprised only a small segment of the Maldives’ otherwise booming tourism market. Official data show that 59 Israeli passport holders entered the Maldives in February 2025, out of a total of about 214,000 foreign arrivals that month. For all of last year, roughly 11,000 Israeli tourists visited the Maldives, accounting for just 0.6% of total international arrivals. (By comparison, the Maldives welcomed over 1.8 million total visitors in 2024.) Government data indicate the country has already seen over 700,000 tourist arrivals in the first part of 2025, a strong rebound as global travel recovers, but only a tiny fraction of these were from Israel.
Israel is not a primary source market for Maldivian tourism, which traditionally relies on travelers from countries like China, India, Europe, and the Middle East. The Israeli market has been growing in recent years but remains niche. Notably, the Israeli government had already warned its citizens in late 2023 against traveling to the Maldives due to anti-Israel sentiment amid the war. This travel advisory, along with the suspension of direct flights from Israel during the conflict, had already reduced Israeli visitor numbers. Many Israeli travelers pivoted to other destinations even before the official ban. The Maldives also does not maintain direct air links with Israel, so Israeli tourists usually come via third-country hubs.
Impact on Travel and Hospitality Industry
For travel professionals, this policy change carries several implications for business and operations in the Maldives:
- Tour Operators & Travel Agents: Tour operators will need to re-route or cancel trips booked by Israeli clients to the Maldives. Packages and itineraries must be adjusted to alternative destinations, as Israelis can no longer obtain Maldivian visas. Travel agents should proactively inform any Israeli customers of the new entry ban and assist with refunds or rebooking to other beach destinations. Future marketing of Maldives packages will likely exclude Israel as a target market until the ban is lifted.
- Hoteliers & Resorts: Maldivian hotels and resorts may see a minor dip in bookings, as a small but notable stream of tourists is cut off. While Israelis comprised only ~0.6% of arrivals last year, luxury resorts that catered to this niche (for instance, for honeymoons or diving trips) will need to fill those rooms with other customers. Some high-end resorts known to receive Israeli guests might adjust their outreach to other markets. Overall occupancy rates are unlikely to be significantly affected given the limited share of Israeli visitors, but any existing reservations from Israeli nationals will require cancellation.
- Destination Management Companies (DMCs): Local DMCs and ground handlers in the Maldives will have to halt services for Israeli tour groups or individuals. This includes canceling airport pick-ups, domestic transfers, and excursions for Israeli clients. DMCs should coordinate with international partners to ensure that no Israeli passport holders are sent to the Maldives. They might focus on other emerging markets to compensate for the loss of Israeli business, which was already small.
- Dual Nationals and Expat Travelers: Dual citizens who hold an Israeli passport and another nationality need to exercise caution. The Maldives will accept an alternate passport (for example, European or American) for entry, so such travelers can still visit if they travel under their second nationality. Travel advisors should ensure that dual-national clients use only their non-Israeli passport when booking flights and upon entry, to avoid complications. It’s wise to carry proof of the other citizenship and refrain from presenting any Israeli identification at Maldivian immigration. However, industry stakeholders should stay updated on any further clarification from the Maldives authorities regarding dual nationals, as initial reports on the policy caused some confusion.
Outlook
The Maldives – famed for its overwater villas and coral atolls – has taken an unusual step for a tourism-dependent economy by shutting out a group of visitors over geopolitical issues. The government in Malé appears willing to absorb a minimal tourism loss to make a political statement. Tourism insiders note that the immediate financial impact will be limited, given the low volume of Israeli tourists.
The move underscores how foreign policy stances can influence travel regulations: Maldives now joins a list of nations (such as Bangladesh and Pakistan) that ban Israeli passport holders from entry, though in Maldives’ case, it’s explicitly tied to the Gaza war rather than a longstanding non-recognition of Israel. Travel companies serving the Indian Ocean region will adjust accordingly. Regional competitors like Seychelles, Mauritius, or the UAE may see a slight uptick in Israeli tourists seeking alternative sunny vacations. Within the Maldives, officials have emphasized that the ban is a principled response to the Gaza crisis and not directed at Judaism or other nationalities.
As the war in Gaza eventually abates, industry stakeholders will watch if the Maldives reopens its doors to Israeli travelers or if the prohibition becomes a protracted policy. For now, tour operators and hoteliers are advised to plan with the assumption that this restriction will remain in place in the near term, while continuing to monitor diplomatic developments. The Maldives’ stance highlights the intersection of global politics and tourism, reminding travel professionals to stay agile amid evolving international regulations.