Israel tells citizens to visit Lakshadweep, Kerala after Maldives bans entry

Israel’s embassy in India urged its citizens to visit Indian beaches in Lakshadweep, Kerala, Goa, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The ongoing conflict in the middle east between Gaza and Israel has brought India’s famous coastal beaches into the limelight.

On June 2, the Maldives, known for its beautiful beaches and luxury resorts, announced that it will ban the entry of the Jewish country’s citizens into the island nation, showing solidarity with Gaza.

Also read: Maldives’ new pro-China tilt is worrisome but India hopes for pragmatism

In turn, Israel’s embassy in India started promoting Indian beaches in Lakshadweep, Kerala, Goa, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. “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 said in a post on social media platform X on June 3, sharing pictures of Indian beaches.

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.

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Check out these recommendations from @IsraelinIndia, based on the places visited by our… pic.twitter.com/kGNEDS6fsp — Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) June 3, 2024

In a sarcastic note of gratitude, the consul general of Israel to midwest India told the Maldives government, "Thanks to the Maldives Government's decision, Israelis can now explore the beautiful beaches of Lakshadweep."

The Maldivian government decided to amend laws to ban Israeli passport holders from entering the Indian Ocean archipelago, amid mounting public anger in the country over the attacks by Israeli forces on Gaza.

Also read: Maldives decides to amend laws to ban Israeli passport holders

The decision was announced by Home Minister Ali Ihusan at an emergency press briefing at the President’s Office, news portal Sun.mv reported. "The cabinet decided today to make the legal amendments necessary to ban entry into the Maldives on Israeli passports as soon as possible," he said. The cabinet has set up a special committee of ministers to expedite the process, the news portal added.

Also read: India seeking FTA with Maldives: Minister

Maldives receives more than one million tourists each year. This includes around 15,000 tourists from Israel. The cabinet also decided to appoint a special presidential envoy to identify the areas in which Palestine requires support from Maldives and organise fundraising events to assist Palestinians through the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).