Israeli-Turkish Woman Attacked by Pro-Palestinian Protesters in Istanbul Mall

An Israeli-Turkish citizen, Klodya Medina Halfon, was confronted and surrounded by approximately 20-25 pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the upscale Istinye Park mall in Istanbul on Sunday. The protesters, waving Palestinian and Turkish flags, shouted hostile remarks at Medina, accusing her of supporting Israel and stating that "Zionists are not welcome in our country." The verbal altercation escalated to shoving before mall security intervened and escorted Medina out of the premises. Police and medical teams were called to the scene, and the mall was evacuated as a precaution.

This incident did not occur in a vacuum. Eleven days prior, on October 7, a Turkish group known as the "October 7 Movement" accused Medina of assisting IDF soldiers in reaching Turkey for medical treatment, a claim they posted on Instagram. Two days before the mall confrontation, on October 16, the group announced it had filed a complaint against Medina with the Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office, alleging illegal commercial activities among other charges.

Medina, who splits her time between Israel and Turkey, works as an accountant and guides Israelis visiting Turkey for medical and cosmetic procedures, such as hair transplants and dental work. She stated in a previous interview that she escorts dozens of Israelis monthly, arranging their stays and assisting with translation and clinic interactions.

The incident raises concerns for Israelis conducting business in Turkey, particularly those requiring a physical presence. Medina herself had previously mentioned taking strict precautions, carefully selecting hotels and drivers and advising her clients against traveling alone. The fact that someone familiar with the language, culture, and terrain faced such a confrontation highlights the challenges for Israelis operating in the country.

While the exact number of Israelis working in Turkey is unknown, tourism data shows a significant decline in Israeli tourist visits, dropping by about 90% from approximately 824,000 in 2022 to 81,000 in 2024. Despite deteriorating relations, Israelis continue to visit Turkey, partly for medical treatments.

Turkish authorities have launched a police investigation into the mall incident, but as of the publication date, there was no official confirmation of arrests or indictments. No decision has been reported regarding the complaint filed against Medina prior to the incident. This follows a previous incident in December 2025 where a group of Jewish tourists was verbally harassed by pro-Palestinian protesters near the Galata Tower in Istanbul.