Maldives government bans Israeli citizens over Gaza genocide.

Maldives is an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean. It consists of a chain of about 1,200 small coral islands and it is considered the smallest country in Asia and the small Muslim majority country by land area.

You have to give it to the Maldives; they have more backbone than the rest of Muslim world combined.

In fact, both Yemen and the Maldives have a foreign policy that is morally superior to the rest of the world.

Each year, the small island nation with a population of 524,000 or roughly the size of Austin, Texas, depends heavily on tourism which provides 90% of its tax revenue. According to last year's data provided by the Maldives' government, around 11,000 Israelis visited that island nation last year which accounts for 0.6 per cent of total visitors.

Not only the Maldives is beautiful, but it is a country with principles. However, since it took a strong moral stance against Israelis by unwelcoming them by making their country an "Israeli free zone," this ban does not apply to Jews who do not hold Israeli passport.

Right after the ban, the Daily Telegraph, which is a Zionist-controlled British newspaper, ran a hit piece smearing and vilifying the Maldives as an unsafe tourist destination in a deliberate effort to destroy its tourism industry because it banned Israelis.

They can smear all they want but the rest of the free world will keep them afloat. Keep in mind, even though crime is very low there until a few days ago even for people who commit genocide felt safe there.

It sounds like Israel is not happy with the Maldives. It just inspired me to decide that my next holiday may be there.

It is shameful that the slightest display of sovereign and independent conduct is enough to make you a target of Western vilification. The Maldives made the correct decision. Stop the genocide or if your country is involved in genocide, they are not welcome, it’s pretty simple. More destinations should follow the Maldives' lead.

As far as the Telegraph is concerned, it isn't good for toilet paper because President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives made a moral and courageous decision by imposing a travel ban on Israeli passport holders.

Mahmoud El-Yousseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired USAF veteran who lives in Westerville, Ohio. He could be reached at: [email protected]