The Maldives on Tuesday enforced a ban on Israeli passport holders entering the country, but the final version of the law allows Israeli nationals to enter if they hold a second passport — a loophole that permits entry for most Israelis, who typically possess dual citizenship.

The amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act, passed by Parliament earlier in the day, was signed into law by President Mohamed Muizzu and subsequently gazetted. Under the new law, Israeli passport holders are officially barred from entering the Maldives. However, it explicitly allows entry for individuals who hold another passport, even if they are Israeli citizens.

This exemption is significant, as many Israeli nationals hold dual or multiple citizenships, particularly from Europe and North America. Critics say the new restriction is largely symbolic and unlikely to significantly impact Israeli travel to the Maldives.

The bill was passed unanimously, with all 83 lawmakers voting in favour. Despite its original intent to fully block entry to Israelis, the final version of the legislation includes a clause stating that Israeli citizens may be allowed entry in the future if Israel halts its attacks on Palestinians.

Opposition MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) initially proposed a full ban on Israeli nationals, including those with dual citizenship. However, the version passed by the government-dominated Parliament was substantially weakened.

The move follows months of public pressure on the Muizzu administration to honour a June 2024 Cabinet decision to bar Israeli passport holders amid growing condemnation of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. That announcement was widely publicised as a gesture of solidarity with Palestine, but attempts to fast-track the law last year were blocked, sparking criticism from opposition leaders and rights advocates.

The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), despite holding a supermajority, voted against an earlier motion to expedite the ban, prompting accusations of political posturing and insincerity.

Attorney General Ahmed Usham previously cited legal and logistical challenges in enforcing such a ban. Yet critics argue that the government’s public commitment to implement it — announced in a high-profile press briefing — gave the impression that such obstacles had already been addressed.

Meanwhile, public outrage over the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza has remained strong, with regular demonstrations and online campaigns calling for a complete and uncompromised ban.

Although the law is now in force, observers say the dual passport exemption significantly undermines its effectiveness.