Israel–Maldives relations

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Israel–Maldives relations
Map indicating locations of Israel and Maldives

Israel
Maldives

Israel–Maldives relations refer to foreign relations between Israel and the Maldives. The countries had diplomatic relations from 1965 to 1974. From 2012 to 2017, they maintained cooperation agreements, but did not restore full diplomatic relations. In 2024, the Maldives banned Israeli passport holders from entering the nation due to the Israeli government's conduct in the Israel–Hamas war.

History[edit]

The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1965, when Israel was the third state to recognize Maldives, and the Israeli ambassador was the first to present his credentials to the Maldives’ president.[1] The Maldives suspended them in 1974.[1]

In 2009, under president Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldives signed cooperation agreements with Israel on tourism, health, education, and culture.[2] In 2010, the Israeli government sent a team of eye doctors to treat patients and train local medical personnel in the Maldives.[3]

In May 2011, the Maldives’s then-foreign minister, Ahmed Naseem, became the first top official from the Maldives to visit Israel, which he did on a four-day trip.[1][4] However, the renewed relationship did not develop into full diplomatic relations.[3][5]

In July 2018, under president Abdulla Yameen, the Maldives terminated the cooperation agreements with Israel and in 2014 announced a boycott of Israeli products, as Israel launched a military operation in Gaza.[6] The then-Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon also announced that the Maldives would fully support Palestinians at international forums such as the United Nations Human Rights Council and offer them humanitarian aid.[6]

In 2020, after UAE and Bahrain recognized Israel and a local media outlet reported the government had discussed establishing ties with Israel, the then-Maldivian foreign minister, Abdulla Shahid, denied having initiated discussions regarding establishing ties with Israel.[7]

In 2021, Israeli Travel Company Caminos announced it would offer direct flights from the Maldives to Israel from September 6 to October 4 2021. The Maldives are popular among Israeli Tourists.[8] However, the rumors of offering direct flights were denied by the Maldivian Transport ministry.[9]

In 2023, Maldivians held protests to stop Israeli tourism in Maldives, in a show of solidarity with Palestinians and Maldivian MP Saud Hussain submitted a resolution to parliament to ban Israeli passport holders from coming to the country.[10][11] In the same year, the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a travel warning for the Maldives due to the 'anti-Israel' atmosphere and Maldivians called for a boycott of companies.[12][13]

In 2024, Maldivian MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem submitted a bill to the parliament calling for a ban on entry for Israeli passport holders.[14] It was promptly accepted and the country has started to implement that law.[15] The Maldives, which is predominantly Muslim, has also condemned the Israeli attacks on Rafah and has called to Israel to abide by the International Court of Justice's ruling.[16]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Ahren, Raphael (14 February 2012). "As regime changes in Maldives, Israel loses a rare Muslim ally". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Israel and Maldives move to normalize relations", Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 25 September 2020. [permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b Kadesh, Avigayil (22 March 2011). "Seeing eye to eye in the Maldives". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel). Archived from the original on 30 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Foreign Minister of Maldives visiting Israel". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel). 17 May 2011. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016.
  5. ^ "האיים המלדיביים - המלצה למטייל" [The Maldive Islands - Recommendation for travelers]. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel) (in Hebrew). 11 November 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Maldives to ban Israeli goods, revoke 3 pacts". Haveeru Daily. 21 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  7. ^ Zalif, Zunana (30 September 2020). "Maldives denies work to establish ties with Israel". Raajje TV. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  8. ^ Yalsh, Shimon (2021-06-15). "Coming soon: Direct flights from Israel to the Maldives". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  9. ^ Abdulla, Lamya (17 June 2021). "No airline granted to operate direct flights between Maldives and Israel: Transport Ministry". The Edition. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  10. ^ Zalif, Zunana (21 October 2023). "Maldives holds mass rally in solidarity with Palestinians". Raajje TV. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  11. ^ Rehan, Mohamed (15 October 2023). "Resolution to ban Israeli arrivals to Maldives". The Edition. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Foreign Ministry issues travel warning for the Maldives". The Times of Israel. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  13. ^ Zalif, Zunana (8 December 2023). "Maldivians take to the streets, demand to boycott companies profiting from genocide in Palestine". Raajje TV. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  14. ^ Mohamed, Mariyath (31 May 2024). "MDP submits bill to parliament calling to ban Israeli passports". The Edition. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  15. ^ Osmanagic, Ameera (2 June 2024). "Maldives to amend law to ban Israel passport". The Edition. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  16. ^ Shahid, Malika (28 May 2024). "Maldives condemns Israeli attacks on Rafah, calls to abide ICJ ruling". The Edition. Retrieved 2 June 2024.

External links[edit]

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