Pro-Palestinian Activists Attack Israeli-Turkish Citizen in Istanbul Mall

Pro-Palestinian activists confronted and verbally assaulted an entrepreneur with both Israeli and Turkish citizenship, Claudia Medina-Halfon, in Istanbul's Istinye Park shopping mall on the evening of October 18. Approximately 20 activists surrounded Medina-Halfon, shouting insults and threats, waving Palestinian and Turkish flags, and calling her a "terrorist" and "child killer." They chanted slogans such as "We don't want Zionists in our country." Mall security intervened and escorted her out of the building. Medina-Halfon organizes trips for Israelis to Turkey, including for cosmetic and medical procedures, and maintains a social media blog. According to reports, a pro-Palestinian organization had filed a complaint with the Istanbul prosecutor's office two days prior, accusing her of arranging trips for Israeli soldiers to Turkey for cosmetic surgery. Police and medics arrived at the scene after the incident, but there were no reports of the businesswoman sustaining injuries or requiring medical attention. Israel's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, criticizing Turkish authorities for fostering a hostile environment towards Israelis. The ministry stated, "Turkey rolls out the red carpet for Hamas terrorists. Now a woman with dual, Israeli and Turkish, citizenship is being attacked and persecuted. When the government provides a safe haven for terrorists, it is not surprising that their hatred also manifests on the streets of the country. This is shameful and unacceptable."