The Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism Prevents Erdoğan’s Son and 27 Senior Turkish Figures from Entering Israel

The Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism Prevents Erdoğan’s Son and 27 Senior Turkish Figures from Entering Israel

The Director General of the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism, Avi Cohen-Scali, acting under his authority pursuant to Section 2(d) of Amendment No. 40 to the Entry into Israel Law, 5785 (2025), recommended to the Population and Immigration Authority to deny entry to Israel to 28 antisemitic figures.

Among them are businessman and son of the President of Turkey, Bilal Erdoğan; the president of the IHH organization, whose organization was responsible for the Mavi Marmara incident, Fehmi Bülent Yıldırım; and the head of Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs, Dr. Ali Erbaş.

In this context, Cohen-Scali sent a letter to Mr. Amnon Shmueli, Acting Director General of the Population and Immigration Authority, titled: “Recommendation to Prevent Entry into Israel of Turkish Figures Involved in Boycott Activity and the Glorification of Violence.” This was done as part of the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism’s authority following Amendment No. 40, and in accordance with the understanding between the ministries regarding the transfer of recommendations and information from the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism.

Cohen-Scali’s letter includes the names of religious figures, journalists, academics, content creators, opinion leaders, and senior officials in public bodies whose activities go beyond legitimate political expression and are characterized by systematic calls for boycotts, the glorification of violence, justification of harm to civilians, and the dissemination of content with antisemitic, anti-Zionist, and anti-Israeli characteristics.

Minister for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli:
“Those who boycott Israel will not be allowed to enter Israel. I will continue to lead an uncompromising policy against antisemitic elements hostile to Israel. In these days, we understand more than ever that Turkey is part of the axis of evil, and just as we act against terrorist organizations, so will we act against hostile elements in Turkey.”

Avi Cohen-Scali, Director General of the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism:
“These are senior figures from Turkey, including media professionals and leading business people, who act consistently and publicly to promote boycotts, delegitimization, and incitement against the State of Israel, inflame hatred and incitement, and encourage boycotts against the State of Israel.”

The Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism views with utmost seriousness any attempt at delegitimization and the undermining of the resilience of the State of Israel. Accordingly, the ministry will continue to monitor and act decisively against elements that incite hatred, promote violence, and encourage boycotts against the State of Israel.