Germany-Based Journalist Denied Work Visa for Advocating Sanctions on Israel
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Israel's Population and Immigration Authority denied a work visa to German journalist Serena Bilanceri, who had called for sanctions against the country. The decision followed a recommendation from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, which cited her articles advocating economic and military sanctions. Bilanceri, who reports from the region, had sought to become a permanent correspondent. The Ministry stated that individuals calling for boycotts of Israel will not be allowed entry.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Journalist Serena Bilanceri denied a work visa to report from Israel due to calls for sanctions.
- The Population and Immigration Authority made the decision based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.
- Bilanceri wrote articles advocating for economic and military sanctions against Israel.
- The Ministry cited her statements as grounds for entry prevention under Israeli law.
- The Director General of the Ministry stated that calls for boycotts will not be tolerated.
An Italian-born journalist for the German newspaper taz, Serena Bilanceri, has been denied a work visa to serve as her publication's permanent correspondent in Israel. The Population and Immigration Authority made the decision on Sunday following a recommendation from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism. The ministry reviewed statements Bilanceri published against Israel, which it deemed grounds for denying entry under Israeli law.
Bilanceri, who reports on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from Jordan, Syria, and Israel, had sought a recommendation from the Government Press Office to obtain the visa. However, the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs argued that she had authored at least two articles explicitly calling for sanctions against Israel, thus meeting the criteria for entry prevention.
One article, published on November 17, 2025, titled "Sanctions Against Israel," adopted Amnesty International's definition of Israel as an "apartheid state" and urged Western nations to exert economic and military pressure. She also wrote that "settler violence is not an isolated incident, but part of a radical expulsion strategy" and that "pressure must come from the international community. The United States, as well as Germany and Europe, must impose economic and military sanctions."
In another opinion piece from September 1, 2025, Bilanceri addressed Germany's opposition to an EU Commission proposal for sanctions on Israel following the Gaza war. She called for EU countries to act collectively and escalate measures if initial sanctions proved ineffective, stating, "Europe is now required to take a firm stance, and if this step is not effective, further sanctions must be imposed. There are proposals for this, even at the European level. One just needs the will to implement them."
Avi Cohen Scali, Director General of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, praised the decision, stating, "Anti-Israel elements and those who slander Israel should not set foot here. We will not tolerate calls for a boycott of Israel under the guise of professional journalism." The ministry's recommendation was conveyed to the Population and Immigration Authority in accordance with an amendment to the Entry into Israel Law.
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