In a decisive move underscoring its unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Third Amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act, effectively banning entry to individuals holding Israeli passports. This legislative action, passed by the People’s Majlis on April 15, 2025, reflects the nation’s condemnation of Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza.
The amendment introduces a new provision to the Immigration Act, expressly prohibiting the entry of Israeli passport holders into the Maldives. This aligns with the Maldivian government’s firm stance against what it describes as the continuing atrocities and acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.
President Muizzu’s administration has consistently voiced strong support for Palestinian rights. In November 2024, during the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, President Muizzu urged Muslim and Arab nations to take decisive action in support of Palestine, emphasizing that “the decades of terror and injustice against the Palestinians must end.”
Further demonstrating this commitment, the Maldives co-sponsored a resolution supporting the admission of the State of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2024. The government also launched a national fundraising campaign, raising over USD 1.2 million for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to assist Palestinian refugees.
In addition to these efforts, President Muizzu appointed a special envoy to assess the needs of Palestinians and initiated a nationwide rally under the slogan “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine” to show support. The Maldives has also submitted written and oral statements to the International Court of Justice regarding the legal consequences of Israel’s policies.
Despite potential diplomatic repercussions, including advisories from Israel’s Foreign Ministry for its citizens to avoid traveling to the Maldives, the Maldives remains resolute in its position. President Muizzu has emphasized that the Maldives’ support for the Palestinian cause is a concern shared by all Maldivians and that the nation will continue to advocate for justice and the rights of the Palestinian people on the international stage.
As the Maldives takes this firm stand, it joins a growing list of nations and organizations worldwide reevaluating their relationships and policies in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
