8 in 10 Expect More Countries To Place Bans on Israeli Passport Holders

The Maldives announced a ban on Israeli visitors in response to public opposition in the country to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

Real Research, an online survey app, revealed that nearly 78% of respondents (vaguely aware, 43.88% + completely aware, 33.76%) were aware of the Maldives banning Israeli tourists. 

Highlights:

• 82.88%  believe more countries will ban entry for Israeli passport holders.
• 80% of respondents believe the Maldives banning Israeli tourists is justified.
• Two-thirds believe the Israeli government should arrange an immediate evacuation for Israelis residing in the Maldives.

Maldives Banning Israeli Tourists

Maldivian President Mohammed Mizzu announced the decision at a news conference, supporting Palestinians after street protests from opposition politicians demanding justice for Gaza.

63% of respondents said President Muizzu was compelled to take this decision, while 37% believed otherwise. 

Maldives Subcommittee 

The cabinet has decided to amend laws preventing Israeli passport holders from entering the country, and they have also established a subcommittee to oversee these efforts. 80% of respondents (somewhat justified, 46.36% + extremely justified, 33.64%) believe the Maldives banning Israeli tourists’ entry is justified.

However, 17% of respondents believe the Maldives banning Israeli tourists’ entry is somewhat unjustified, and 3% said it is extremely unjustified.

Maldives’ Ban on Israeli Passport Holders

No official details on when or how the ban will be implemented were provided by the Maldivian government. 60% of respondents think that upon its implementation, the move will be fair for all Israeli passport holders worldwide, and 40% think otherwise.

Israel Foreign Ministry

Shortly after the ban was implemented, the Israeli foreign ministry urged its citizens in the Maldives to depart promptly, citing potential challenges in providing assistance during emergencies, though it did not offer evacuation support.

In response, 63% of respondents believe the Israeli government should arrange an immediate evacuation for Israelis residing in the Maldives, while 37% oppose this idea.

Israeli Embassy Highlights Indian Beaches

“Since the Maldives is no longer welcoming Israelis,” the Israel Embassy in India tweeted pictures, sharing alternative “incredible Indian beeches where Israeli tourists are warmly welcomed and treated with utmost hospitality.” 

Looking at the statement above, 52% of respondents think this reaction by the Israeli Embassy is them trying to help by suggesting alternatives; 42% think the reaction is a passive-aggressive response by the Israeli Embassy; and 6% believe this response/reaction is unremorseful and ignites negativity. 

World of Statistics

Recently, the website “World of Statistics” published a list of countries that prohibit entry for Israeli passport holders. The list includes Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, and, most recently, the Maldives.

Finally, the survey on the Maldives banning Israeli tourists’ entry revealed that nearly 83% of respondents (44% absolutely, 38% probably) believe more countries will be added to the list over time. In contrast, 15% think other countries probably shouldn’t join the list, and 2% believe no additional countries should join the list at all.