The Maldives has unveiled plans to ban Israeli passport holders from entering the Indian Ocean island nation amid Israel’s genocide in Gaza, reported CNN.
Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu took such a decision after a unanimous recommendation from the Cabinet, according to a press release on Sunday.
In response, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Israeli citizens to avoid travelling to the Maldives and those who are currently staying there to immediately leave the country, “since if they fall into distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to help.”
Muizzu also revealed that he is appointing a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs and is launching a fundraising campaign to “assist our brothers and sisters in Palestine” with UNRWA, the release said.
Furthermore, the President announced a nationwide rally themed “Falastheenaa Eku Dhivehin,” which translates to “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”
Before the ban, Muizzu condemned Israel’s airstrike attack on a camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah that killed at least 45 people and wounded over 200 others.
He called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and easy delivery of humanitarian aids to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians.
“Together with the Government and people of Maldives, I call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to violence and unhindered humanitarian access,” Muizzu wrote in a post on X, last week.
This ban comes a few days after Slovenia recognized Palestine as an independent and sovereign state.
On May 28, Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognized a Palestinian state, a crucial step that increased pressure on Israel.
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