The Maldives, a popular tourist destination in the Indian Ocean, will ban Israelis from entering the country in response to the ongoing Gaza conflict, according to an announcement from the president’s office on Sunday. The move aligns with the nation’s stance of solidarity with Palestine.
President Mohamed Muizzu has “resolved to impose a ban on Israeli passports,” stated a spokesperson from his office. Specific details regarding the implementation timeline for the new law have yet to be provided.
In addition to the travel ban, President Muizzu has launched a national fundraising campaign titled “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine,” aiming to support the Palestinian cause.
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Egypt Demands ‘Israel Withdraw from Rafah’
Officials from the United States, Israel, and Egypt concluded a meeting in Cairo on Sunday, with Egypt insisting that Israel must withdraw from the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing for it to become operational again, according to two Egyptian security sources.
The sources indicated that the meeting was positive despite not reaching an agreement on reopening the crossing. Egypt’s delegation showed openness to the idea of European monitors overseeing the border operation by Palestinian authorities, provided these authorities agreed to resume their responsibilities.
Israeli and US officials pledged to work quickly to remove the obstacles preventing the crossing’s operation, according to the Egyptian sources.