Israel has warned its citizens not to travel to the Maldives due to the increasing outrage over its attacks on the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the Israeli foreign ministry stated that the atmosphere in the Maldives against Israel is intensifying and therefore Israeli citizens are advised to avoid travelling to the Maldives at this time. The statement comes at a time when Maldivians are calling on the government to stop Israeli citizens from coming to the country.
Furthermore, the Maldives has repeatedly called on Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territory and to stop its attacks on Gaza. During the second committee meeting of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Maldives stated the people of Palestine are continuously pushed into an endless cycle of despair and destruction, with their very existence, identity, and history under constant duress. The Maldives stated that it stands firm in its commitment to advocating for peace and security in the region, is gravely concerned about the situation in the Gaza Strip, and reiterates the Secretary-General’s call for civilians and infrastructure to be protected.
Additionally, the Maldives expressed concern over Israel’s military proclamation that over one million civilians in northern Gaza should relocate to the south, noting that this clearly violates several laws and Conventions. As such, the Maldives joined members of the international community in calling for a reversal of this order and a lifting of the blockade to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Furthermore, the Maldives described the situation in Gaza as a matter of survival and called on the international community to take all possible measures to stop the ongoing attacks on civilians. The Maldives expressed its support for the Palestinian people, particularly towards the establishment of an independent and sovereign State based on the pre‑1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.