The Israeli embassy in India has recommended its citizens explore Indian beaches following the Maldives’ decision to ban Israeli passport holders from entering the Indian Ocean archipelago.
The Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu announced the ban, though the exact implementation date remains unspecified. This move comes as a significant shift in the Maldives’ foreign policy towards Israel, impacting travel plans for many Israeli tourists.
In response, the Israeli embassy in India highlighted alternative destinations. “Since the Maldives is no longer welcoming Israelis, here are some beautiful and amazing Indian beaches where Israeli tourists are warmly welcomed and treated with utmost hospitality,” the embassy stated in a social media post. The post featured images of beaches in Lakshadweep, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, and Kerala.
Kobbi Shoshani, the Israeli Consul General, reinforced this message by reposting a tweet from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The January tweet praised the natural beauty of Lakshadweep, and Shoshani added, “Thanks to the Maldives Government’s decision, Israelis can now explore the beautiful beaches of Lakshadweep.”
The recommendation from the embassy comes amid a broader advisory from Israel’s foreign ministry. Citing the Maldives’ ban, the ministry advised Israeli citizens to avoid traveling to the Maldives altogether. “For Israeli citizens staying in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, since if they fall into distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to help,” the ministry’s statement read.
Tourism data underscores the impact of the ban. Last year, nearly 11,000 Israelis visited the Maldives, representing 0.6 percent of the total tourist arrivals. However, the first four months of this year saw a significant drop, with only 528 Israelis visiting, marking an 88 percent decrease from the same period last year.
Relations between Israel and the Maldives have seen numerous fluctuations. Israel was the third nation to recognize the Maldives in 1965, but diplomatic ties were severed in 1974. The relationship saw a brief thaw in 2009 with several cooperation agreements, only to face setbacks again in subsequent years. The Maldives joined the international BDS movement against Israel in 2014, and in 2018, then-President Abdulla Yameen formally terminated the cooperation agreements.
