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Maldives-Israel relations refer to foreign relations between Israel and the Maldives. From 1978 to 2008 there were no official relations between two countries. In 2008, new president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed announced that he would like to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, making a speech at the United Nations General Assembly. This decision was met with some opposition in the Maldives. On 25 September 2009, Maldives restored diplomatic relations with Israel, 15 years after suspending them. The first ambassador from Israel to Maldives, and the first from a foreign country, was Mr. Abraham Darome.
History
While strongly supportive of the Palestinian cause, the Maldives had not, however, supported earlier calls for the expulsion of Israel from the United Nations, upholding its commitment to maintaining the universality of the UN. In 2005, the Maldives co-sponsored the resolution tabled by the United States on the Holocaust remembrance, and in 2007 it also co-sponsored the US-led resolution on condemning Holocaust denial. In response to the Oslo Accords, the Maldives relaxed private sector restrictions on ties with Israel.
Due to Israel's Operation Protective Edge against the Gaza Strip, which killed over 500 Palestinian people, On July 22, Maldives announced it would boycott Israeli goods and suspend co-operation agreements on health, culture and education, and tourism until Israel stops bombing Gaza.