The Maldives has just introduced what’s sure to be a controversial new travel ban. While the country has been working on introducing this for nearly a year, it has now been signed into law.
In this post:
Maldives bans Israelis, in solidarity with Palestine
Mohamed Muizzu, the President of the Maldives, has just signed into law an amendment to the Immigration Act, which expressly prohibits entry into the country using Israeli passports. Note that this ban doesn’t apply to dual nationals, so this new restriction is specifically about which passport you use to enter the country, and not about whether you have an Israeli passport or not.
While the Maldives and Israel haven’t had diplomatic relations since the 1970s, travel has been permitted up until this point. The government states that these restrictions will remain in place until Israel halts its “actions” against Palestinians.
The press release from the government provides the following justification:
The ratification reflects the Government’s firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.
The Government of Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause and its enduring commitment to the promotion and protection of the rights of the Palestinian people. The Maldives continues to advocate for accountability for violations of international law and remains vocal across various international platforms in its condemnation of Israel’s actions.
President Dr Muizzu has consistently reiterated the Maldives’ principled support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and international legal norms.
The government first announced its plans to introduce such a travel ban in June 2024, but the actual implementation has been quite drawn out. For what it’s worth, in 2023, just under 11,000 visitors entered the Maldives with Israeli passports, representing around 0.6% of the total number of visitors to the country. The country saw a steep decline in Israeli visitors in 2024.
It’s worth acknowledging that there are probably many people who have Israeli passports who enter the country with other passports, so I imagine the total number of visitors who also have an Israeli passport is significantly higher. Furthermore, I suspect many Jewish people with other passports will reconsider a trip to the Maldives in light of this policy.
My take on the Maldives banning Israeli passports
It goes without saying that the current Israel and Gaza conflict couldn’t be more polarizing. I find the dialogue surrounding it to be consistently disappointing, since people are just talking past one another.
The way I view it, multiple things can be true. Yes, Israel had a horrible terrorist attack committed against it on October 7, 2023, and Hamas is a terrorist organization. But it’s also tragic how many people have died in Gaza, particularly women and children, and it’s fair to question whether the military operation over the past 18+ months has been the path that minimizes the loss of life, and creates as prosperous of an outcome for all as possible.
With that in mind, I’ll just say a few things:
- I’ve always been opposed to travel bans based solely on which passport someone uses to enter a country; “punishing” ordinary citizens for the actions of a government just seems juvenile
- The Maldives is heavily reliant on tourism, which is why the country has compromised so much on its religious “morals,” by allowing alcohol and much more at resorts; it’s interesting that this is the place where the country draws the line
- This won’t be good for the Maldives’ tourism, as I’m sure the country will see more than a 0.6% reduction in tourism, as Jewish people with other passports avoid the country as well
- This kind of seems silly, since the only thing this will accomplish is reducing the Maldives’ own tourism revenue (which, in turn, could be used to support to Palestinians, if that was the goal); it’s not like this is what’s going to lead to a major revolt against Netanyahu
- The irony here is that many Israeli passport holders are Muslim; now, those aren’t necessarily the people visiting the Maldives, but it seems strange to ban them
- If the Maldives wanted to introduce such a policy, it seems like this should’ve happened some time back
Bottom line
The Maldives has introduced a new entry ban, whereby Israeli passports can no longer be used to enter the country. This has been under consideration since June 2024, but has now finally been implemented. I’ve always been opposed to travel bans that punish ordinary citizens for the actions of a government, and this is no different.
What do you make of the Maldives banning entry with Israeli passports?
How much did Ben Gvir and Smortich pay you to write this Hasbara drivel, Ben?
This is “extreme” but the United States denying entry to people whose social media posts criticise the current administration or State of Israel is what, perfectly normal? Did you ever speak of that? I must’ve missed it
If the U.S. can enact their own silly immigration policies, then guess what? So, too, can the Maldives
When it's a slow news day for real aviation stories and credit cards, turn on the politics and watch the silly lemmings fall over themselves while your bank account gets topped up by clicks. Works. Every. Time.
Any updates on the well being of the hostages the palestians took in Israel 1.5 years ago?
Any updates on the well being of the "prisoners" the Israelis have been taking for the last two decades?
Any update on the displacement, murder and genocide being inflicted by Israel since May 1948?
Those wondering how the US ended up with the current administration just need to read most of these comments. The nazis once in hiding have emerged from their caves worldwide! I’ve been to the Maldives at least 10 times. Never met an Israeli there, so I doubt very seriously this ban is going to influence Israel one iota. As an American Jew, I’m proud to say I just canceled a 14 day ~$30,000 trip to...
Those wondering how the US ended up with the current administration just need to read most of these comments. The nazis once in hiding have emerged from their caves worldwide! I’ve been to the Maldives at least 10 times. Never met an Israeli there, so I doubt very seriously this ban is going to influence Israel one iota. As an American Jew, I’m proud to say I just canceled a 14 day ~$30,000 trip to the St Regis and W in the Maldives. I’ll miss it, but guess where I’m going? (Hint: Israel will be happy).
What is so wrong with the rest of the world boycotting a genocidal state?
The fact you are going to holiday there says a lot about your lack of ethics and moral compass.
GENOCIDE is the attempt to eliminate a race or religion.
Example. Hamas/Hezbollah/Iran pledge to "Kill the Jews". WORLDWIDE
Israel has no such desire and any attempt to couch the Israeli defense against FURTHER ONGOING ATTACKS BY HAMAS/IRAN as GENOCIDE requires a mind that is incapable of truth and obviously does not know what Genocide is.
What do you call Phase 5 famine, inflicted by the government of Israel then, Alan?
What do you call not letting in food, water and medicine in for 45 days, Alan?
What do you call deliberately targeting ambulance drivers and medical workers and bombing every functional hospital, Alan?
M
I'm proud of you. That's tough after all the planning and work that goes into planning a trip.
Lucky, banning Israeli passports is nothing to do with banning Jewish people.
It is to do with banning anyone who possesses a passport from the genocidal state who has fascist Netanyahu as their leader.
As a Jew, stop trying to conflate Zionism and extremism with Judaism. Do better.
As a Jew, stop trying to conflate Zionism with extremism. There's nothing wrong with wanting a single Jewish state in a world full of Christian and Muslim states. And don't end posts with "do better" - it's insufferable.
Excellent news from the Maldives.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.
Let the genocidal Zionists go holiday in Mar-a-lago and Moscow. Where they can be welcomed with the blood stained red carpet.
From the river to the sea, Israel gets it all for free.
Let the genocidal Palestinian Islamist radicals go straight to their moon-god afterlife.
Well done to the Maldives.
Israel should face a global boycott because of the genocide and gaslighting they have been inflicting on Palestinians since the Nakba in 1948.
Good for the Maldives. More countries should ban Israelies.
So, are you a Jewish woman posting anonymously or a Gentile man posting with a new account?
Good for the Maldives. More countries should ban Israelies.
People are totally missing the point. Rogue nations such as Israel have always had their citizens banned. This is nothing new. What the zionists appear to make this as an attack against a religion. There are many in the world that practice Judaism who live in other countries which are not Israel and dont have a passport from Israel, I'm sure they are more than welcome and will still go to the beautiful Maldives. Again,...
People are totally missing the point. Rogue nations such as Israel have always had their citizens banned. This is nothing new. What the zionists appear to make this as an attack against a religion. There are many in the world that practice Judaism who live in other countries which are not Israel and dont have a passport from Israel, I'm sure they are more than welcome and will still go to the beautiful Maldives. Again, a country is not a monopoly on a religion. Don't let the zionists make this into a religious issue. This is between 2 states, not religions. Non Israeli citizens with other passports are more than welcome as they should. Maldives is not committing a racist genocide aging a specific group.
Ben, did not realize you were also anti-Semitic.
But given the recent extremist posts by you, I guess it all makes sense now.
Simon, im sure you realize Palestinians and the countries of the Middle East are all Semetic people unlike many of the citizens of Israel who are European or White North American.
So my friend I really dont see how you can say that about Ben who is just relaying news, he didn't make the policy. By the way, I dont think Ben has ever made an Anti Semetic post talking about the Majority Muslims...
Simon, im sure you realize Palestinians and the countries of the Middle East are all Semetic people unlike many of the citizens of Israel who are European or White North American.
So my friend I really dont see how you can say that about Ben who is just relaying news, he didn't make the policy. By the way, I dont think Ben has ever made an Anti Semetic post talking about the Majority Muslims in the region who are Semetic as that would truly be Anti Semetic.You too appear to be a zionist who is here only to cause disruption and confusion. We caught you and we know what your goal is.
Boy that's untrue!
Judaism has existed since 3500 BC
Islam since 660 AD.
Islam is the only religion that instructs the faithful that it is their responsibility to kill all the Jews.
Technically it also says to kill all Infidels (which includes all NON-MUSLIMS including you possibly? Are you Joe or Moh'd?).
Don't forget 9/11 when you blame Israel for October 7.
Hypothetically the Maldives might be protecting their...
Boy that's untrue!
Judaism has existed since 3500 BC
Islam since 660 AD.
Islam is the only religion that instructs the faithful that it is their responsibility to kill all the Jews.
Technically it also says to kill all Infidels (which includes all NON-MUSLIMS including you possibly? Are you Joe or Moh'd?).
Don't forget 9/11 when you blame Israel for October 7.
Hypothetically the Maldives might be protecting their country from possible Hamas terrorist attacks like many other tourist destinations?
Don't forget to bless Arab terrorists every time you board an airplane and pass lovingly through those TSA SECURITY CHECKS (or have you forgotten the terrorist attacks for the last 70 years?)
Yes, the conflict between the Nazis and the Jews in the concentration camps is complicated.
It’s unfortunate so many Jewish people died but Germany also has a right to defend it self from the Jewish prisoners.
That pretty much sums up Ben's attempt to be "objective". Forget about mothers raped in front of their kids and babies cooked in the kitchen oven. Because that's not fair to bring up.
Forget about the Palestinians being raped in Israel jails and the Palestinian babies being shot in the head by Israeli snipers too.
I see you watch a great deal of Palewood videos and Hamas propaganda posts.
Some people reading this might not understand that it HAMAS/HEZBOLLAH/PLO commiting these atrocities.
Don't forget beheading the babies or slicing them in half.
Or Raping October 7 women so brutally they were found with broken pelvises when autopsied.
Sheesh, we have Alan Dershowitz reading OMAAT! The usual drivel.
Lucky, it is not ironic at all that Israeli Muslims are banned. Israelis are banned because of the actions of the Israeli government. Jewish people are not banned because it is not the action of the Jewish faithful that they are opposed to.
153 countries have signed the Genocide convention that binds them to acting and do all they can to prevent it. What maldives does is the absolute bare minimum
What Muslims have to learn to understand is that just because you say Admiral Ackbar doesn't make you part of the ummah. That's the problem that Muslims have regarding the public image of supporting terrorists. Yes, they're terrorists, but they're ummah, so they can't be condemned because it's against the Qu'ran to do so.
Well, I'm not ummah, so I'm free to think. And what I think is that the Palestinians started this on...
What Muslims have to learn to understand is that just because you say Admiral Ackbar doesn't make you part of the ummah. That's the problem that Muslims have regarding the public image of supporting terrorists. Yes, they're terrorists, but they're ummah, so they can't be condemned because it's against the Qu'ran to do so.
Well, I'm not ummah, so I'm free to think. And what I think is that the Palestinians started this on October 7th, the Palestinians were the ones who danced in the street on 9/11, thus making them the enemy of myself and all Americans, and that the Palestinians created the modern air hijacker, thus forcing all of us to go through security. Thus, they deserve to get anything that's coming to them, and anyone that sympathizes with them are terrorist supporters, including the government of the Maldives. Boycott them.
What a stupid comment. This started long before October 7th. Also, *some* Palestinians were dancing on 9/11, not all, just as some Jewish Israelis did the same. Also were the majority of the 9/11 hijackers Palestinian? No, you doofus.
How can a guy with one of the most significant Jewish names be so anti-semitic?
Because he's not. He's anti-Zionist, not antisemitic. Get that?
What Lucky failed to consider if the number of people who will consider their next vacation in the Maldives BECAUSE of this stance.
Also, yeah. Sometimes people take brave stances against genocide regardless of the financial consequences it will have. That's real bravery. Not everything is a capitalist equation.
Buraugue, that word you used “Genocide” have you any idea of the meaning of that word …. NO, one can see that you do not!
Nah, he seems to be using the term genocide correctly.
I’d consider going to Maldives because Israelis are banned. Not because of the War in Gaza, but because the average Israeli on holiday is insufferable. Much more peaceful all around the resort.
Surely you are mistaking Israelis for the Russian tourists who pollute the planet?
Nope, Russians are a distant second in the annoying department on a resort.
That being your opinion Ronnie, one has to ask, to which resort(s), holiday locations do you refer?
Nope. You got that wrong dude. For me, Russians were top of the list for annoyance on my trip to the Maldives last year.
South African apartheid was ended by boycotting the country, its exports, and its citizens. South Africa is still a very unequal country, but better than it was. Israel’s very founding was violent, every Israeli citizen benefits from the subjugation of the Palestinians by living in stolen houses, stolen land, and stolen indigenous culture, and that’s why support for the genocide of the Palestinians among Israelis is overwhelming. I fully support this ban, and every single...
South African apartheid was ended by boycotting the country, its exports, and its citizens. South Africa is still a very unequal country, but better than it was. Israel’s very founding was violent, every Israeli citizen benefits from the subjugation of the Palestinians by living in stolen houses, stolen land, and stolen indigenous culture, and that’s why support for the genocide of the Palestinians among Israelis is overwhelming. I fully support this ban, and every single other country with a conscience should ban Israelis. And tell me, what makes Hamas a terrorist organisation? Palestinians have been violently oppressed for 70 years. Do they have no right to violent resistance? You cannot oppose the genocide, but also condemn the Palestinians for armed resistance.
Bryce, your ignorance of the history of RSA, Judea and the meaning of the word “Genocide” is so typical of those who swallow the terrorist propaganda without question.
One can only pity your lack of education and understanding.
I have a degree in history and politics, if you must know. From a real university, not some conservative think tank like PragerU.
That being the case Bryce, which period of history did you study, American history perhaps? As for your political studies, socialist politics exclusively?
Political theory, political philosophy (from Thomas Hobbes, to Rousseau, to Marx, to DuBois, to Angela Davis, to Franz Fanon), international relations theory and politics of the USA, history of postcolonial India, the French Revolution and Russia from 1881-1990. Why do you disagree with the term genocide to refer to what Israel is doing to the Palestinians? Very frequently officials in the Israeli government have claimed that there are no civilians in Gaza, that they will...
Political theory, political philosophy (from Thomas Hobbes, to Rousseau, to Marx, to DuBois, to Angela Davis, to Franz Fanon), international relations theory and politics of the USA, history of postcolonial India, the French Revolution and Russia from 1881-1990. Why do you disagree with the term genocide to refer to what Israel is doing to the Palestinians? Very frequently officials in the Israeli government have claimed that there are no civilians in Gaza, that they will not stop until everyone is dead, that even children are not innocent, etc. The Lemkin institute, the founder of which was a holocaust survivor and created the definition of genocide adopted by the UN, has called this a genocide. The ICJ has said there are serious grounds for referring to this as a genocide. So why do you believe that it isn't?
Arab Muslim terrorists come in many forms but universally brutal animals filled with hatred.
Branding perpetrators of Oct 7 as "Palestinians" is wrong, Gazan Terrorists pretend they are like all peaceful "Palestinians" but they are a special breed of subhumans.
Nice to see that you hate Jews Bryce. Hamas is a terrorist organization because they went into Israel, attacked it, killed thousands of civilians, raped women, took toddlers hostage, and mutilated them. In my eyes, you support terrorism, hate Jews, and are no better than the Nazis. Hitler would be proud of you. Are you proud of yourself? I hope you are.
@Paul
Switch Jews to Muslims and Israel with Palestine, and it makes perfect sense now.
Hitler would be proud of Israel, who've also have employed former Nazi agents to work for them.
And perhaps proud of you too, you're literally proving the effectiveness of propaganda, just like he used to lure Germans.
Nice try.
Oh my! Mason, a Hamas terrorist attack upon Israeli women, children and babies denier!
Have you forgotten October the 7th already?
Israelis have also taken Palestinian land over the past decades, Israeli civilians, the military, and government have all committed atrocities against Palestinian civilians over the decades, and none of it shows any sign of stopping. Israel has the right to defend itself, but they do not have the right to indiscriminately slaughter civilians like they did in the months after October 7th and at many points prior to that.
In many respects, Israel's behavior...
Israelis have also taken Palestinian land over the past decades, Israeli civilians, the military, and government have all committed atrocities against Palestinian civilians over the decades, and none of it shows any sign of stopping. Israel has the right to defend itself, but they do not have the right to indiscriminately slaughter civilians like they did in the months after October 7th and at many points prior to that.
In many respects, Israel's behavior has been no different than Russia's. They took advantage of a war to occupy territories belonging to other countries, never gave them back, and then began illegally settling those territories with their own people while displacing the natives. Israel created this situation with 50 years of government policy, and surprising nobody it blew up in their face.
Palestinian land, what Palestinian land?
The Levant/Judea has been the home of the Hebrew/Jewish people for millennia.
Those who call themselves Palestinians are Arabs of the Muslim faith who have not been residents of the Levant for little more than a century.
Its also been the home to Christians and Muslims as well, who have been there for longer than a century, you Hasbara propaganda bot.
Also Hamas is not all Palestinians, just like Likud is not all Israelis.
@AeroB13a
Under that logic, I guess all Americans should move back to Europe unless we have significant ties to native tribes. After all, it isn't our land, it's theirs. See how ridiculous that line of thought is?
And you are flat wrong, Muslim peoples have been living in that region for over 1400 years. In case you forgot, the European Christian states fought multiple wars trying to drive the Muslims out in, you...
@AeroB13a
Under that logic, I guess all Americans should move back to Europe unless we have significant ties to native tribes. After all, it isn't our land, it's theirs. See how ridiculous that line of thought is?
And you are flat wrong, Muslim peoples have been living in that region for over 1400 years. In case you forgot, the European Christian states fought multiple wars trying to drive the Muslims out in, you know, the Crusades, which began in 1096. The actual term "Palestinian" is relatively recent sure, but those people didn't all pop up there in 1898. They'd been living there for many centuries.
I don't hate anyone on the grounds of their religion. The beheaded babies was proven and admitted by many officials to be a false claim. The claim of rape has actually not been evidenced, and the Israeli state has only interviewed one woman, who came forward 8 months after October 7th and said she witnessed one woman being raped. 37 children under the age of 18 were killed or kidnapped on October 7th, but over...
I don't hate anyone on the grounds of their religion. The beheaded babies was proven and admitted by many officials to be a false claim. The claim of rape has actually not been evidenced, and the Israeli state has only interviewed one woman, who came forward 8 months after October 7th and said she witnessed one woman being raped. 37 children under the age of 18 were killed or kidnapped on October 7th, but over 20,000 are confirmed dead (and many more missing) in Gaza since October 7th. For many years before October 7th, the IDF has killed sometimes hundreds of Palestinians each year, almost all civilians and a very high number of children. Isn't the IDF by that measure also a terrorist organisation?
So Sisyphus, first you must be quite intelligent to know with such certainty how every group in human history that was looked at by their contemporaries and historians (must have taken a lifetime of study to get that knowledge), although the one example you actually cite isn't really equivalent to the middle east...that aside...
To your point #2 - How would you characterize what happened on Oct 7th? Factually speaking it was an attack targeted...
So Sisyphus, first you must be quite intelligent to know with such certainty how every group in human history that was looked at by their contemporaries and historians (must have taken a lifetime of study to get that knowledge), although the one example you actually cite isn't really equivalent to the middle east...that aside...
To your point #2 - How would you characterize what happened on Oct 7th? Factually speaking it was an attack targeted at civilians which resulted in their deaths, rapes, tortures and being held hostage (where torture, rape, and death continued). I'm not aware of Israelis taking civilian hostages and doing this or any rhetoric from Israelis calling for that kind of action. Also, the Israelis repeatedly from day one have said everything stops when the hostages are returned...it is the decision of the Palenstinians to continue holding hostages and using their own people as human shields. So is it ok for the Palestinians to "systematically murder' civilians - as you put it - on Oct 7th - tell me, if you were a leader how would you react if that happened to your people?
It's almost comical to me how people like you think Israel is the great genocide evil, but are so quick to forget the Palesitnians were well documented allies of Hitler and the Nazis prior to the existence of Israel taking part in one of the largest genocides in human history. Also, where is all you hatred toward Russia for it's genocide of Ukrainian people, or Iraq against the Kurds, or Sudan or the Han genocides against other Asian races in China?
Bottom line is that the Palenstinians are the ones who are targeting, raping, torturing and holding hostage civilians (including children). If they want their own civilians to stop dying, why won't they just release the hostages? Also to note, the Palestinians not only celebrate the Oct 7th attacks, but they were dancing in the streets, burning American flags on 9/11 too. Israel doesn't celebrate civilian deaths, parade bodies on TV, or post videos on which hostage should be executed or raped, etc...aren't those things war crimes? I guess not if you pretend you're people are just innocent victims and just have no clue why they are being bombed.
Not reading all that, free Palestine
Sisy, you are typical of the ignorant Hamas terrorist supporter who is willing to digest the Hamas propaganda without question, however, is too lazy to read an alternative view.
One has to pity such an uneducated person.
@Aerob13a
Nah just not a genocide supporter, keep fighting for your life in these comments though, you’re doing a terrible job.
Love seeing you guys struggle with how much the tide has turned against you.
EXACTLY. At the end of the day, these genocide supporters are the minority. People with a conscience (thankfully, still the global majority) and history are on our side. Free Palestine, free Palestine, free Palestine.
“I'm not aware of Israelis taking civilian hostages”
There are literaly thousands of Palestinian civilins being held in Israeil prisons and detention centers without charge.
Israeli soldiers have been posting lots of things on social media in Gaza and other places that they really shouldn’t, like wearing the clothes of Palestinin women, staties of Jesus they toppled in south Levanon, celebrating the destruction of ruined homes in Gaza, etc.
Hamas has offered many times to...
“I'm not aware of Israelis taking civilian hostages”
There are literaly thousands of Palestinian civilins being held in Israeil prisons and detention centers without charge.
Israeli soldiers have been posting lots of things on social media in Gaza and other places that they really shouldn’t, like wearing the clothes of Palestinin women, staties of Jesus they toppled in south Levanon, celebrating the destruction of ruined homes in Gaza, etc.
Hamas has offered many times to return the hostages but Bibi said no thanks, since this was never about the hostages. If it were, the why is the Israeli military aiding settlers in the West Bank in killing Palestinians there, demolishing homes and villages, pouring concrete into water wells, poisoning livestock, buring farms, uprooting olive trees, etc?
Remember you are also supporting an Islamic caliphate that still jails its citizens for having gay sex. So while you are relaxing on the beach you can think of your tourism dollars helping to be homophobic. As a gay man I thank you. Go to fiji or seychelles instead
THIS. Spend my hard-earned dollars in a backward caliphate with palm trees? NO thanks. Not to mention the Maldives - along with most of the islamic world - bans freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and other basic freedoms.
And I love the radical islamist-sympathising useful idiots here who fail to understand that they don't just hate Israel and Jews - they hate the West, which includes us, and who - ironically - would slit their throat if given the opportunity.
Agree that a travel blog is not the place to litigate this.
- Non-Jews will also stop going. There are many allies.
- Does Hamas get free boat transfers?
Some Home Truths ….
The Palestinian people support Hamas.
Hamas are terrorists who are Palestinians, who in turn perpetrated terrorist activities.
Those who support the Palestinian people must also support Hamas.
Those who march/demonstrate in support of Palestinian Hamas terrorists, are themselves, equally responsible for prolonging the diabolical treatment of the Israeli hostages and the Palestinian population of Gaza.
Shame be upon the supporters of Palestinian terrorists.
Some Home Truths ….
The Palestinian people support Hamas.
Hamas are terrorists who are Palestinians, who in turn perpetrated terrorist activities.
Those who support the Palestinian people must also support Hamas.
Those who march/demonstrate in support of Palestinian Hamas terrorists, are themselves, equally responsible for prolonging the diabolical treatment of the Israeli hostages and the Palestinian population of Gaza.
Shame be upon the supporters of Palestinian terrorists.
Classic genocidal speech
Amazing how many people either have no clue as to what "genocide" means or they are just dishonestly and mindlessly regurgitating their team's stupid and factually wrong talking points. In most cases, I'm going with the latter. No way so many people can be dumb enough not to know the meaning of "genocide".
Sisyphus, thank you for confirming your total ignorance of the political situation in that part of the Middle East.
Your ignorance of the meaning of the word “Genocide” and the unmistakable fact that you have allowed yourself to swallow the Hamas terrorist propaganda, hook line and sinker.
One has only pity for your display of total stupidity.
Your logic chain falls apart instantly. SOME Palestinian people support Hamas. Not all
So Erik, are you saying that Hamas are not Palestinians?
Have you not seen the mass support for the Hamas terrorists on the media channels?
Have you simply ignored the fact that Hamas support in Gaza has been universally welcomed?
Alternatively, are you simply too blind to see the facts which have been presented to you for decades?
Upwards of 70%
Their country, their rules. If the Israel-government would let Maldevians enter their country freely, then I may have thought otherwise. Besides, the Maldevian government will certainly know about the revenue-contribution of tourists from Israel. So if it is quite a bit, then it makes their stance more principled.
Israel has a blanket ban on entry for citizens of Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. I haven’t heard anybody calling that extreme.
Israel allows Muslims Israeli citizenship and Muslims even hold office in their government. Maldive citizenship is 100% Muslim with no exceptions. Don't even try and suggest there's any degree of "they're both equally bad" when it comes to apartheid behavior. Not even close.
Hey squad. It’s time for an intervention. You probably aren’t going to successfully litigate these complex issues here in this comment section. Instead of indulging your most aggressive online persona, maybe take a walk. Get some fresh air. People and civilizations come and go, but the earth abides forever.
Now, if only Maldives could ban the Russians. Better for everyone all round, especially those who find themselves in a resort with them!
@PDS
I was thinking the same thing. I happened to be in the Maldives last year and some were staying at the resort I was visiting. Some times were annoying to downright unpleasant. Breakfasts and beach times specifically
"But it is tragic how many people have died in Gaza particularly women and children"... Wow Ben those people did not just die from natural causes. They were bombed by Israel intentionally. Israel is committing a genocide while the West who have been preaching human rights to the global South for years are just watching and still supplying Israel with Weapons. Nelson Mandela was also called a terrorist by the west. I didn't know Ben...
"But it is tragic how many people have died in Gaza particularly women and children"... Wow Ben those people did not just die from natural causes. They were bombed by Israel intentionally. Israel is committing a genocide while the West who have been preaching human rights to the global South for years are just watching and still supplying Israel with Weapons. Nelson Mandela was also called a terrorist by the west. I didn't know Ben is biased. History didn't begin on 7th October 2023.
Another antisemitic drone who either doesn't know the meaning of the word "genocide" or does and yet still mindlessly regurgitates the terrorists' dishonest talking point. Usually it's the latter.
Their husbands and fathers asked for it. And over 90% of Gaza supports the terrorist scum from Hamas.
Screw 'em.
It should be noted that Israel also does not permit entry to those on Maldivian passports, and has never accepted these due to the lack of diplomatic relations between the countries. They must obtain a special travel document issued by Israel to nationals of states they do not recognise.
Not taking sides here, but above is just to provide some perspective on those screaming about discrimination.
Thanks for the context, in that light the move by the Maldives seems fair. They were already doing more for Israeli passport holders than vice versa.
@Sean M.
That's not how Western propaganda works.
You're supposed to let these people get brainwashed from biased facts.
You mean like the fact that Israel allows Muslims to hold Israeli citizenship and allowing Muslims to hold government office while Maldives citizenship is 100% limited to Muslims, no exceptions allowed? But those Israelis are really intolerant. No apartheid behavior to be found in Maldives since they won't allow literally ANYONE ELSE to live with them. But good to know you're not brainwashed with biased facts there, Eskimo. lol/smh
@al
The Israeli government is also still occupying territory it took in the Six Day War 50 years ago, displacing the natives and settling it with Israelis instead. They're not blameless in this, and who can hold office in the Maldives has no bearing on Israel's treatment of people in the territories it occupies.
No, no Esk! You know better than that bro, please don’t advocate brainwashing by the Hamas terrorist propaganda machine.
Aero. You have posted about 13 times. Me thinks you're a zionist propagandist. You're goal is not the tell the truth but make sure the truth is muddled. We see you and think you're quite an unintelligent person full of hate and being paid to try to disrupt or maybe both. You really have 0 credibility. 13 posts. Come on man!!!
1- Every resistance group throughout history has been labeled a terrorist organization, most famous of which was Mandela’s Defiance campaign.
2- Language matters, women and children in Gaza didn’t simply “die” or “lose their lives” they’re being systematically murdered.
3- It’s up to every sovereign country to decide who’s allowed in and who isn’t, it just stings when white westerners with a superiority complex are the target.
Remind me who started the war with a massacre ? And why Israel was called first Judea ?
George W. would have been called a terrorist if that word existed then, and he lost the war to George the 3rd.
That's how propaganda works.
"Every resistance group throughout history has been labeled a terrorist organization" ...and sometimes, as here, the "terrorist" label is the correct one!
(Which, as Ben correctly notes, does not excuse the crimes against humanity currently being committed by the Israeli government, and they should stand trial at the ICC accordingly.)
@Sispyhus: What a ridiculous comparison. Did Mandela’s Defiance campaign slaughter civilians in cold blood? There's also a big difference between being labeled a terrorist by the government you are resisting vs being labeled a terrorist by the rest of the world.
based Maldives
People don't get the real concept of democracy.
You vote the politicians to represent your agenda, ideologies, wants and so on, in the political stage.
Thus you, the citizens, are in fact responsible of the politicians and governments' actions.
Especially for Israelis, who claim their country to be "the only democracy in Middle East".
Travel bans are mostly negative...
People don't get the real concept of democracy.
You vote the politicians to represent your agenda, ideologies, wants and so on, in the political stage.
Thus you, the citizens, are in fact responsible of the politicians and governments' actions.
Especially for Israelis, who claim their country to be "the only democracy in Middle East".
Travel bans are mostly negative to the country pulling that out (though benefits the politicians who've proposed that - the populism and propaganda is definitely working), but maybe the Maldives are confident enough with this working well.
Who knows, their expectation might the backlash coming from non-Israeli Jews getting outdoned by Muslims' support of this decision and traveling to the Maldives.
Just like BREXIT, just like Trump 1 and Trump 2. The people get what they voted for, and if that's not what you wanted then why did you vote for it? A lot of people like to go through life thinking their vote doesn't matter and everything will keep spinning like it always has, but in reality as long as one isn't living in Russia, the PRC, or DPRK, one's vote MATTERS and one should handle that responsibility accordingly.
@ Dusty
Preach!
I'd be ok if the Maldives refused entry to MAGA voters from the US. I'm sure someone could find the voting records. Our version of Hamas.
@Mason
@Dusty
So you're saying democracy is working the way it should be.
Yet we're having more conflict than ever.
Are you suggesting that the problem isn't the people you vote to represent but democracy itself?
@Eskimo
Well, sure the politicians coming up with those ideas do have problems, but so are the people voting for them.
At least Israel does have many alternatives to vote, unlike the US. And that's why Netanyahu decided to destroy the system, so he doesn't lose his votes.
Besides, the democracy is working as it should be, because it wasn't really a system that stood on the good side.
It doesn't care...
@Eskimo
Well, sure the politicians coming up with those ideas do have problems, but so are the people voting for them.
At least Israel does have many alternatives to vote, unlike the US. And that's why Netanyahu decided to destroy the system, so he doesn't lose his votes.
Besides, the democracy is working as it should be, because it wasn't really a system that stood on the good side.
It doesn't care whether a candidate is right or wrong, neither is the public mature enough. It allows the immature public to vote corrupt candidates.
So maybe both the people getting votes and the system itself is wrong, to be US-specific.
Esk, no matter what spin one puts upon the ME situation, the fact remains bro, that it all boils down to the Iranian Muslim Caliphate.
@Eskimo
What would you replace democracy with? A dictatorship? Absolute monarchy? Democracy has its issues, but it is better than any government based on the whims of an absolute ruler.
And yes, Democracy is working exactly as intended. We're having more conflict than ever because one side does not take their right to vote seriously, does not hold their electeds accountable, and their electeds won't even hold each other accountable. The single most important...
@Eskimo
What would you replace democracy with? A dictatorship? Absolute monarchy? Democracy has its issues, but it is better than any government based on the whims of an absolute ruler.
And yes, Democracy is working exactly as intended. We're having more conflict than ever because one side does not take their right to vote seriously, does not hold their electeds accountable, and their electeds won't even hold each other accountable. The single most important thing to them is making fun of the other side. Republicans aren't shy about saying that low turnout elections and low info voters are the reason they can still get into power.
@Mason
@Dusty
Both of you are saying democracy is working.
But yet the short comings both of you describe is the foundation of democracy.
"It allows the immature public to vote corrupt candidates"
"one side does not take their right to vote seriously"
And you both drop a similar bomb.
"so he doesn't lose his votes"
"they can still get into power."
So is our current state of democracy just dictatorship...
@Mason
@Dusty
Both of you are saying democracy is working.
But yet the short comings both of you describe is the foundation of democracy.
"It allows the immature public to vote corrupt candidates"
"one side does not take their right to vote seriously"
And you both drop a similar bomb.
"so he doesn't lose his votes"
"they can still get into power."
So is our current state of democracy just dictatorship using a rigged democracy to legitimize authoritarianism.
Which means to fix it you either change the system or the people in the system? And we can't seem to fix the latter, ergo we need to fix the system?
@Eskimo
It's not a dictatorship yet, even if we're on that course with the current admin. Everything Trump does requires the complicity of Republican senators and representatives, and a majority of the US Supreme court. Nor is it rigged. Obama was president for two full terms, Trump was unequivocally rejected in 2020 in favor of Biden, then squeaked back in in 2024. It's quite possible that the GOP loses seats in a landslide in...
@Eskimo
It's not a dictatorship yet, even if we're on that course with the current admin. Everything Trump does requires the complicity of Republican senators and representatives, and a majority of the US Supreme court. Nor is it rigged. Obama was president for two full terms, Trump was unequivocally rejected in 2020 in favor of Biden, then squeaked back in in 2024. It's quite possible that the GOP loses seats in a landslide in 2026, allowing the legislative branch to impeach Trump or at the very least act as an effective guard rail until his term is over or the lifetime of McDonald's finally puts him in cardiac arrest.
Regarding fixes, what's your suggestion? Have laws saying you can't be a dictator or try to violently seize power? We have those, and Trump wasn't held accountable. Checks and balances? We have those, but the people who should be the guard rails are in the executive's pocket. Just have a dictatorship? Non-starter, and it's highly unlikely to be better. For every "benevolent" dictator or "good" king in history, there's 5 awful ones. Removing the electoral college would be an excellent and sensible reform, but even it wouldn't have prevented Trump 2. Personally, I'd also like to see a standard election process for all federal elections that all states must follow, 50 different states with 50 different standards is part of what gave so much credence to Trump's election denial conspiracy in 2020.
Could this be the start of a Muslim vs Jewish world conflict?
As if the start of an apparent trade war was not enough …..
@AeroB13a
No. Israel and many Muslim countries have gotten friendlier since Israel sold them its spyware technology. I suspect many Muslim does not care as much about what's going on in Gaza as people in the West seem to think.
No it's not the start of any such. Israel and many Muslim countries are now on friendlier terms since Israel sold them its spyware technology.
Systemic South African apartheid was dismantled by similar actions. It should have happened much sooner. Other countries should follow.
Gay, just look at the state of that country now …. reverse apartheid is not cleaver either.
AeroB13a,
The country has been worse than this for all black people living there.
I have oft wondered why the richest man in the world doesn't return to the country of his birth to assist...
Are you serious Dev?
Seriously flawed submission.
@AeroB13a
Serious like a heart attack.
That you would think or claim that the black people of South Africa were better of under apartheid beggars belief.
If the Maldives really wanted to show solidarity, perhaps they could start accepting Palestinian refugees? Or as suggested by Ben, at least send them some money earned from tourism?
Some Home Truths ….
The Palestinian people support Hamas.
Hamas are terrorists who are Palestinians, who in turn perpetrate terrorist activities.
Those who support the Palestinian people must also support Hamas.
Those who march/demonstrate in support of Palestinian Hamas terrorists, are themselves, equally responsible for prolonging the diabolical treatment of the Israeli hostages and the Palestinian population of Gaza.
Shame be upon the supporters of Palestinian terrorists.
Some Home Truths ….
The Palestinian people support Hamas.
Hamas are terrorists who are Palestinians, who in turn perpetrate terrorist activities.
Those who support the Palestinian people must also support Hamas.
Those who march/demonstrate in support of Palestinian Hamas terrorists, are themselves, equally responsible for prolonging the diabolical treatment of the Israeli hostages and the Palestinian population of Gaza.
Shame be upon the supporters of Palestinian terrorists.
Apologies Ryan, the post above should not have been a reply to your post. How this has happened I do not know.