Israel–Maldives relations

Bilateral relations

Israel–Maldives relations

Israel |
Maldives

Israel and the Maldives maintained diplomatic relations from 1965 to 1974. From 2012 to 2017, they maintained cooperation agreements, but did not restore full diplomatic relations.

In 2025, the Maldivian government banned Israeli passport holders from entering the country, in response to the Gaza war.

## History

[edit]

The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1965, when Israel was the third state to recognize Maldives, and the Israeli ambassador was the first to present his credentials to the President of the Maldives.[1] The Maldives suspended them in 1974.[1]

In 2009, under president Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldives signed cooperation agreements with Israel on tourism, health, education, and culture.[2] In 2010, the Israeli government sent a team of eye doctors to treat patients and train local medical personnel in the Maldives.[3]

In May 2011, the Maldives’s then-foreign minister, Ahmed Naseem, became the first top official from the Maldives to visit Israel, which he did on a four-day trip.[1][4] However, the renewed relationship did not develop into full diplomatic relations.[3][5]

In July 2018, under president Abdulla Yameen, the Maldives terminated the cooperation agreements with Israel and in 2014 announced a boycott of Israeli products, as Israel launched a military operation in Gaza.[6] The then-Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon also announced that the Maldives would fully support Palestinians at international forums such as the United Nations Human Rights Council and offer them humanitarian aid.[6]

In 2020, after UAE and Bahrain recognized Israel and a local media outlet reported the government had discussed establishing ties with Israel, the then-Maldivian foreign minister, Abdulla Shahid, denied having initiated discussions regarding establishing ties with Israel.[7]

In 2021, Israeli travel company Caminos announced it would offer direct flights from the Maldives to Israel from 6 September to 4 October 2021. The Maldives are popular among Israeli tourists.[8] However, the rumors of offering direct flights were denied by the Maldivian transport ministry.[9]

### Gaza war

[edit]

In 2023, Maldivians held protests to stop Israeli tourism in the Maldives, in a show of solidarity with Palestinians and Maldivian MP Saud Hussain submitted a resolution to parliament to ban Israeli passport holders from coming to the country.[10][11] In the same year, the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a travel warning for the Maldives due to the 'anti-Israel' atmosphere and Maldivians called for a boycott of companies.[12][13] The Maldives also condemned the Israeli attacks on Rafah and called on Israel to abide by the International Court of Justice's ruling.[14]

In 2024, Maldivian MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem submitted a bill to the parliament calling for a ban on entry for Israeli passport holders.[15] It was promptly accepted and was sent to the Security Services Committee (241 committee).[16][17][18] After months of being stalled in the 241 committee, on 14 April 2025 they approved the ban with some overhauls.[19] These changes were letting Israelis who have dual citizenship in and Israeli passport holders will be banned until Israel stops attacks that are launched on Palestinians.

The ban came into immediate effect after it was approved by parliament on 15 April 2025.[20][21]

## See also

[edit]

* Foreign relations of Israel
* Foreign relations of the Maldives
* International recognition of Israel

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Ahren, Raphael (14 February 2012). "As regime changes in Maldives, Israel loses a rare Muslim ally". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 22 December 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
2. ^ "Israel and Maldives move to normalize relations", Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 25 September 2020. [permanent dead link]
3. ^ a b Kadesh, Avigayil (22 March 2011). "Seeing eye to eye in the Maldives". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel). Archived from the original on 30 June 2016.
4. ^ "Foreign Minister of Maldives visiting Israel". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel). 17 May 2011. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016.
5. ^ "האיים המלדיביים - המלצה למטייל" [The Maldive Islands - Recommendation for travelers]. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel) (in Hebrew). 11 November 2015. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
6. ^ a b "Maldives to ban Israeli goods, revoke 3 pacts". Haveeru Daily. 21 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
7. ^ Zalif, Zunana (30 September 2020). "Maldives denies work to establish ties with Israel". Raajje TV. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
8. ^ Yalsh, Shimon (2021-06-15). "Coming soon: Direct flights from Israel to the Maldives". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
9. ^ Abdulla, Lamya (17 June 2021). "No airline granted to operate direct flights between Maldives and Israel: Transport Ministry". The Edition. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
10. ^ Zalif, Zunana (21 October 2023). "Maldives holds mass rally in solidarity with Palestinians". Raajje TV. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
11. ^ Rehan, Mohamed (15 October 2023). "Resolution to ban Israeli arrivals to Maldives". The Edition. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
12. ^ "Foreign Ministry issues travel warning for the Maldives". The Times of Israel. 19 December 2023. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
13. ^ Zalif, Zunana (8 December 2023). "Maldivians take to the streets, demand to boycott companies profiting from genocide in Palestine". Raajje TV. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
14. ^ Shahid, Malika (28 May 2024). "Maldives condemns Israeli attacks on Rafah, calls to abide ICJ ruling". The Edition. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
15. ^ Mohamed, Mariyath (31 May 2024). "MDP submits bill to parliament calling to ban Israeli passports". The Edition. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
16. ^ "Maldives will ban Israelis from entering the country over the war in Gaza". Associated Press. 2 June 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
17. ^ Osmanagic, Ameera (2 June 2024). "Maldives to amend law to ban Israel passport". The Edition. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
18. ^ "Parliament accepts Israel passport ban bill, sends it to 241 committee". Sun. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
19. ^ "316 days later, committee decides to ban Israeli passports until attacks stop". Sun. 14 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
20. ^ Mohamed, Mariyath (15 April 2025). "Parliament approves banning entry on Israeli passports". The Edition. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
21. ^ "Maldives bans entry of Israelis in 'resolute solidarity' with Palestinians". The Times of Israel. Agence France-Presse. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 15 April 2025.

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