Germany: Journalist Denied Entry for Calling for Sanctions on Israel
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Germany's Population and Immigration Authority denied a work visa to German journalist Serena Bilančeri, based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. Bilančeri had called for economic and military sanctions against Israel in two opinion pieces published in 2025. The ministry cited Israel's Entry into Israel Law, which permits denying entry to those advocating for a boycott. The decision prevents Bilančeri from serving as the permanent correspondent for the German newspaper taz in Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- German journalist Serena Bilančeri was denied entry to Israel for advocating sanctions.
- The decision was based on her opinion pieces calling for economic and military sanctions.
- Bilančeri had sought a work visa to be the permanent correspondent for the newspaper taz.
- The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs recommended denying entry under Israel's Entry into Israel Law.
- The ministry stated that calls for boycotts under the guise of journalism would not be tolerated.
Germany's Population and Immigration Authority has denied entry to German journalist Serena Bilančeri, based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism. Bilančeri had applied for a work visa to serve as the permanent correspondent in Israel for the German newspaper "die tageszeitung" (taz).
The decision stems from two opinion pieces Bilančeri published in 2025. In one article, dated November 17, 2025, titled "Sanctions Against Israel," she adopted Amnesty International's definition of Israel as an "apartheid state" and called for international economic and military sanctions. She specifically urged the United States, Germany, and Europe to impose such sanctions, citing settler violence as part of a radical expulsion strategy.
In a second article, published September 1, 2025, she criticized Germany's opposition to a European Commission proposal for sanctions against Israel following the Gaza war. Bilančeri argued that the European Union should act decisively, proposing further sanctions if initial steps proved ineffective.
The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs determined that Bilančeri's calls for sanctions met the criteria outlined in Section 40 of Israel's Entry into Israel Law, which allows for the denial of entry and residency permits to individuals advocating for a boycott of the country. Avi Cohen Scali, Director General of the Ministry, stated that "anti-Israel elements and those who slander Israel should not set foot here," adding that "we will not tolerate calls for a boycott of Israel under the guise of professional journalism."
As a result of this decision, Bilančeri will not be able to take up her post as the taz's permanent correspondent in Israel.
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