Israel Denies Work Visa to German Journalist Over Calls for Sanctions
Israel denied a work visa to German journalist Serena Bilncheri after she publicly called for economic and military sanctions against the country, citing anti-Israel advocacy.
Israel Denies Work Visa to German Journalist Over BDS Calls
Israel has officially denied a work visa to German journalist Serena Bilncheri following a recommendation from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism. The decision was enacted by the Population and Immigration Authority under Amendment 40 of the Entry into Israel Law.
Bilncheri, 43, a Germany-based correspondent reporting on the regional conflict, has frequently echoed anti-Israel rhetoric, labelling the country an "apartheid state." She has publicly advocated for severe economic and military sanctions against Israel in columns published in the German newspaper taz.
Public Calls for Sanctions and Ministry Response
In a November 2025 opinion piece, Bilncheri adopted Amnesty International's claims and urged the United States, Germany, and Europe to impose immediate financial and military restrictions on Israel. She reiterated similar demands in September 2025, calling on the European Union to enforce unified punitive measures.
"Anti-Israel actors and those who defame Israel should not set foot here. We will not tolerate calls for a boycott against Israel disguised as professional journalism," stated Avi Cohen-Scali, Director-General of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.
Authorities confirmed that her published advocacy directly violates statutory provisions preventing the entry of individuals actively promoting boycotts and sanctions against the Jewish state.
