The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Israeli citizens currently staying in the Maldives to consider leaving the country, following the Maldivian government's announcement of a decision to amend its laws to ban Israeli nationals from entering on June 2. 

"If Israelis who are currently in the Maldives encounter trouble, it will be difficult for us to assist them," the Ministry said as quoted by a news agency report.

It also recommended that Israeli citizens refrain from travelling to the Muslim-majority island nation, even if they hold a second passport from another country.

Maldives ban Israeli citizens

At a press briefing on June 2, Ihusan said the decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held earlier in the day following calls by local citizens to ban Israeli nationals due to devastating attacks in Gaza, a news agency reported.

He added that the government will make legal amendments to implement the ban and a special committee has been appointed to expedite the process.

Maldivian media said the Maldives receives more than one million tourists annually, with an estimated 15,000 tourists coming from Israel.

(compiled from agency copies, only edited for style by Gujarat Samachar Digital staff)

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