Israel issues travel advisory against Maldives

Israeli Foreign Ministry has issued a travel advisory against Maldives; deeming the island nation unsafe for Israeli travelers.

Israeli media outlets reported on the statement released by Israeli Foreign Ministry which advises Israeli citizens against traveling to the Maldives at the moment, citing an intensification of anti-Israeli movements in the Maldives.

Some travel advisories issued by travel agencies have also urged Israeli citizens against traveling to the Maldives, deeming the destination unsafe at the moment.

The advisories come after Maldivian Police, on Thursday, affirmed there was no danger to tourists visiting the Maldives from a particular country.

As per a list of countries Israel has established diplomatic relations with, publicized by the Israeli Foreign Ministry; Israel and the Maldives are not engaged in any diplomatic relations.

Maldives first boycotted Israeli products and annulled all economic cooperations in 2014, during former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom’s administration, after Israel launched a military operation in Gaza.

The decision was upheld by the current administration.

Gaza’s ruling Hamas initiated a surprise attack on Israel in the early morning of October 7^th – the deadliest attack on Israel in decades – following which Israel declared war against Palestine.

Death toll from relentless strikes on Gaza has surged to at least 4,000 with over 15,000 people sustaining injuries to various extents. This includes over 1,400 children and over 800 women. Israel’s response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that endured a crippling siege since 2007.

Maldives, following the escalation of the attack, have had rallies in solidarity with Palestinians and have also opened a relief fund through which millions in Maldivian Rufiyaa have been raised for Palestinians.