“Don’t set foot in the country” – Israel refuses visa and entry to “taz” correspondent

Israel has refused a work visa to the correspondent of the left-wing “tageszeitung” (“taz”), Serena Bilanceri. The Israeli government also denied Bilanceri entry, the “taz” said at the request of the German Press Agency.

"We see this as a significant infringement on press freedom. The government of (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is thus abandoning the foundation of the democratic rule of law."

No reason was initially given for the decision. Several Israeli media outlets reported on the case. Accordingly, it is about reports and comments by the journalist about settler violence in the West Bank and the situation in the Gaza Strip, in which she accused Israel of “apartheid” and called for measures against the country.

The Jerusalem Post quoted Diaspora Ministry Director General Avi Cohen Scali as saying: “Anti-Israel actors and those who slander Israel should not set foot in the country.” He also reportedly said: “We will not tolerate calls for a boycott of Israel under the guise of professional journalism.”

The editor-in-chief of the “taz” stated that Bilanceri had never called for a boycott of the State of Israel. “It is unacceptable that the Israeli government uses legitimate criticism of Israel’s actions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which has also been made by the EU, as a reason to restrict press freedom.”

According to the information, the journalist, who has been the official correspondent for Israel and the Palestinian territories for “taz” since June, has already had problems entering and leaving Israel in the past. Last year, her laptop was examined for explosives and returned destroyed. “She is currently in Jordan, from where she was refused re-entry into Israel,” the “taz” continued.

Bilanceri wrote on Platform X that she had never called for a boycott of Israel. “I have advocated financial and military sanctions in response to the Israeli government’s actions in the West Bank, particularly in light of settler violence and the humanitarian situation.” To those who made this decision and spoke to Israeli media but not to her, she wanted to say: "You are not banning 'anti-Israel actors.' You are banning foreign journalists who have criticized your government's actions."