AI-generated illustration

Israel has barred German journalist Serena Bilanceri from entering the country, according to a report by Channel 12. The Population and Immigration Authority approved a recommendation by the Diaspora Ministry to block her entry.

Bilanceri, an Italian-born German citizen who works for the newspaper Die Tageszeitung, closely covers the Israeli-Palestinian issue as well as developments in Jordan and Syria. The Diaspora Ministry argued she engaged in "anti-Israel propaganda" and described Israel as an "apartheid state." A review of her published articles found she had called at least twice for economic and military sanctions against Israel, the ministry said, concluding that the legal criteria for denying entry and residency were met.

Israel has previously denied entry to a number of foreign lawmakers, including European Parliament members Lynn Boylan and Rima Hassan, British Labour MP Apsana Begum, Swedish parliamentarians Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin, and US Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar. Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli has also announced entry bans on 40 activists from the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. Gaza's Health Ministry says at least 74,377 people have been killed since October 2023.

Key Takeaways

• Israel's immigration authority approved the Diaspora Ministry's request to block Bilanceri's entry.
• The ministry cited her articles describing Israel as an "apartheid state" and calling for sanctions against it.
• Israel has previously denied entry to several foreign lawmakers and 40 Euro-Med activists.