Maldives Joins Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Iran, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iraq and More in Blacklisting Israel with New Travel Ban on Its Citizens: What You Need to Know

Published on April 17, 2025

By: Rana Pratap

In a bold geopolitical move, the Maldives has officially joined countries like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Iran, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iraq, and several others in blacklisting Israel by imposing a new travel ban on its citizens. The decision, rooted in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, formally prohibits entry to Israeli passport holders and reflects mounting regional opposition to Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza.

In a move that has drawn international attention, the Maldives has officially joined a growing list of nations that restrict or ban Israeli citizens from entering their territories. On April 15, 2025, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu ratified the Third Amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act, enforcing a nationwide travel ban on individuals holding Israeli passports.

This legislative decision, which was previously passed by the People’s Majlis (parliament), came amid heightened criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The Maldivian government cited “continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people” as justification for the new policy. The amendment formally prohibits entry to anyone holding an Israeli passport, although individuals with dual nationality and a non-Israeli passport are still eligible to visit the Maldives.

The government has emphasized that the travel ban is part of a broader campaign to show solidarity with Palestine. Last year, the Maldivian cabinet announced its intention to block Israeli passport holders and subsequently formed a special subcommittee to oversee the legal amendments required. In addition to the ban, the Maldives launched a nationwide fundraising campaign in partnership with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and organized public rallies under the slogan “Falastheenaa Eku Dhivehin” (“Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine”).

Israel’s Response

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly issued a travel advisory following the announcement, urging Israeli citizens, including dual nationals, to avoid travel to the Maldives. The ministry also encouraged any Israelis currently in the Maldives to leave, noting that Israel’s ability to provide consular assistance is extremely limited due to the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Maldives Joins Longstanding Blacklist of Nations That Ban Israeli Travelers

With this move, the Maldives joins a group of countries that have long maintained travel restrictions against Israeli citizens. These include:

Afghanistan

Israeli nationals are not permitted to enter Afghanistan. The Afghan government not only refuses entry to holders of Israeli passports but may also reject travelers with stamps from countries that border Israel. Afghanistan has no diplomatic ties with Israel.

Algeria

A member of the Arab League and a participant in the boycott of Israel, Algeria refuses entry to anyone holding an Israeli passport or a passport with Israeli visas or stamps. Even Israelis with dual citizenship are advised to avoid Algeria entirely.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of 29 UN member states that do not recognize Israel. Israeli passport holders are banned, and Bangladeshi citizens are legally prohibited from traveling to Israel.

Brunei

Brunei does not recognize Israel and bans entry to Israeli citizens. The restriction is consistent with Brunei’s broader policy of supporting the Palestinian cause.

Iran

Iran maintains a strict ban on Israeli citizens and even prohibits transit through its territory. Passports bearing Israeli visas or stamps are also grounds for refusal of entry.

Iraq (except for the Kurdistan Region)

Israelis cannot enter Iraq, which is designated a hostile state under Israeli law. Entry without a special permit from Israel’s Interior Ministry is forbidden.

Kuwait

Kuwait bars entry to Israeli passport holders and individuals whose passports show evidence of prior travel to Israel. The ban extends to dual nationals.

Lebanon

Lebanon enforces some of the strictest anti-Israel entry laws. Not only are Israeli passport holders barred, but anyone with an Israeli visa or stamp may be subject to arrest or detention.

Libya

Libya also prohibits entry to anyone with Israeli visas or stamps. All visa applications are vetted by Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which enforces the ban strictly.

Malaysia (entry only by special permission)

While Israel and Malaysia do not maintain diplomatic relations, Israeli nationals may apply for entry through a lengthy and selective approval process via the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs. General tourism, however, is not permitted.

Pakistan (entry only with visa and police registration)

Israelis are generally barred from entering Pakistan, and even under exceptional circumstances, strict visa protocols and police registration requirements apply. Pakistan does not recognize Israel as a state.

Saudi Arabia (limited entry under special conditions)

Saudi Arabia has slightly relaxed its entry restrictions for Israelis in recent years. While general tourism visas are unavailable, some Israelis may enter for religious pilgrimages like Hajj and Umrah or for business purposes—provided they obtain special government approval.

Syria

Syria does not recognize Israel and categorically bans Israeli citizens. Anyone found attempting to enter Syria with an Israeli passport or a passport containing Israeli stamps may be denied entry or detained.

Yemen

Yemen, which is in a state of hostility with Israel, bars entry to any passport holder bearing Israeli stamps. Amid the recent Gaza conflict, Yemen’s Houthi movement has launched direct military actions targeting Israel, further cementing the country’s anti-Israel stance.

Broader Geopolitical Context

The Maldives’ decision to enact this travel ban not only reflects its alignment with Islamic solidarity on the Palestinian issue but also marks a retraction from earlier attempts at engagement with Israel. In 2009, the Maldives established limited diplomatic contacts with Israel, focusing on health and tourism. However, those relations were frozen in 2014 following Israeli military operations in Gaza. President Muizzu’s administration has made it clear that re-engagement is off the table, especially in the current global climate.

The Maldives has joined Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Iran, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iraq, and more in blacklisting Israel by enforcing a travel ban on its citizens, citing solidarity with Palestine and opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

As conflict in the Middle East continues to shape global alliances, the Maldives’ policy is emblematic of a wider geopolitical shift, where symbolic and tangible actions—such as travel bans—are increasingly used to signal political stances. The travel and tourism industry may also feel the ripple effects of these decisions, particularly as Israeli travelers now lose access to one of the world’s most sought-after luxury island destinations.