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The Indian Ocean nation of the Maldives on Monday said, it will ban Israelis from the luxury tourist hot spot.
This was disclosed from the ffice of the president, announcing also a national rally in “solidarity with Palestine.”
The Maldives, a tiny Islamic republic of more than 1,000 strategically located coral islets, is known for its secluded sandy white beaches, shallow turquoise lagoons and Robinson Crusoe-style getaways.
In a statement by the Spokesman for President Mohamed Muizzu, Israeli had “resolved to impose a ban on Israeli passports without giving details of when the new law would take effect."
Muizzu also announced on Sunday a national fundraising campaign called “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine”.
The Maldives had lifted a previous ban on Israeli tourists in the early 1990s and moved to restore relations in 2010.
However, normalisation attempts were scuttled following the toppling of President Mohamed Nasheed in February 2012.
Opposition parties and government allies in the Maldives have been putting pressure on Muizzu to ban Israelis, as a sign of protest against the Gaza war.
In response to the ban, an Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman urged citizens to avoid travel to the Maldives.
“For Israeli citizens staying in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, since if they fall into distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to help,” the spokesman added.
AFP
