ALBAWABA - An island in the Maldives has banned Israeli passport holders in a daring gesture of solidarity with Gazans. Signs on the island's beaches read "We don't want your blood-stained money" and "Entry is prohibited for anyone holding an Israeli passport." Israeli attack over Gaza has continued since October.
A tourism content creator's viral TikTok video showed the placards along the island's shores, generating global attention and social media conversation.
The TikToker said the sign's QR code, which carried evidence of Israeli abuses in Gaza, was banned to comply with platform regulations.
Activists applaud the campaign for raising awareness of Gaza's predicament. Many think this symbolic move would convince other governments to oppose Israel's behavior.
Some have compared the Maldivian island's attitude to countries still admitting Israeli tourists, but others see it as a principled stand against injustice. "Even the Maldives refuses to accept Israeli tourists, sending a clear message: 'We don't want your blood-stained money,'" said a writer.
Maldivians have protested Israeli violence in Gaza outside parliament before. Last October, a Maldivian parliamentarian advocated banning Israeli passport holders from entering the country due to Israel's human rights abuses and Gaza's civilian population suffering.
