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Israel is considering a ban on the entry of 29 Turkish nationals, including Bilal Erdogan, the son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, citing pro-Palestinian activities and alleged anti-Israel campaigns, according to reports.
The move is being considered as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing international legal pressure.
Due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Netanyahu has been unable to travel to several countries.
Most recently, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu refrained from attending the World Economic Forum in Davos over concerns that Switzerland might enforce the ICC decision. The timing of Israel’s entry ban has drawn attention, as it coincides with the growing legal scrutiny surrounding allegations of genocide against Netanyahu.
Since the start of Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 8, 2023, more than 71,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 171,000 wounded, most of them women and children.
The United Nations estimates that 90% of the civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, with reconstruction costs expected to reach around $70 billion.
The list of banned individuals was prepared following a recommendation by Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli. In addition to Bilal Erdogan, the list includes Bulent Yildirim, president of the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation and Ali Erbas, former head of Türkiye’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). The ban is expected to require final approval from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Israeli officials claim that the individuals named in the ban publicly called for boycotts of Israel and led campaigns targeting the country. Chikli has previously described Türkiye as a "hostile state."
According to Chikli, despite Türkiye's involvement in international reconstruction efforts in Gaza, the activities of the listed individuals aim to "undermine the legitimacy" of the State of Israel. Recommendations for enforcing the ban will be forwarded to Israel’s population and immigration authorities.
More than half a million people had gathered on Jan. 1 on Istanbul’s Galata Bridge for a major march in support of Palestine, as demonstrators called for an end to what they described as genocide in Gaza. President Erdogan's son, Bilal Erdogan, had played a significant role in promoting and organizing the event.
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