Maldives mulling travel ban on Israelis amid Gaza war

Illustrative: Tourists sunbathe in Paradise Island Resort in Male Atoll, Maldives, Feb. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/ Gemunu Amarasinghe)
A lawmaker in the Indian Ocean nation of Maldives has submitted a bill to parliament that would bar Israeli tourists from the popular vacation destination.
According to local media, MP Mohamed Nasheed Abdulla submitted the bill, calling on the Maldives to align its policies with other members of the Organization for Islamic Corporation.
It was not immediately clear when the parliament would vote on the proposal.
Israel does not have diplomatic ties with the Muslim-majority nation, but Israelis have been allowed to visit the country famed for its island atolls.
As part of a broader travel warning issued in the wake of the war, Israel cautioned its citizens from visiting the Maldives along with other Muslim nations.