
Israeli Minister Recommends Barring Linda Sarsour From Entering Country
JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said Tuesday he has recommended a complete ban on the entry of activist Linda Sarsour into Israel.
Chikli said the recommendation followed an investigation by his ministry and cited Sarsour’s involvement in the BDS movement, which advocates economic, cultural and academic boycotts of Israel. He accused her of promoting campaigns aimed at isolating Israel internationally and opposing the country’s security policies.
⛔️ Sovereign nations protect their borders. Israel will no longer open its gates to those who work to destroy it.
Following a thorough investigation by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, I have recommended a complete ban on Linda Sarsour’s entry into Israel.
Sarsour is a leading… pic.twitter.com/OWMY7xS5fo
— עמיחי שיקלי – Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) June 2, 2026
Sarsour, a Palestinian-American activist born and raised in New York, gained national prominence as a progressive political organizer and former executive director of the Arab American Association of New York. She was one of the national co-chairs of the 2017 Women’s March and has been a leading advocate for Palestinian rights in the United States.
Over the years, Sarsour has become a polarizing figure. Supporters have praised her activism on civil rights, immigration and social justice issues, while critics have accused her of promoting anti-Israel rhetoric and supporting movements that seek to delegitimize Israel. She has denied accusations of antisemitism and has said her criticism is directed at Israeli government policies rather than Jewish people.
In a statement posted on social media, Chikli said Israel “will no longer open its gates to those who work to destroy it” and argued that individuals who seek to harm or weaken the country should not be permitted entry.
Israeli authorities did not immediately announce whether a final decision had been made regarding Sarsour’s ability to enter the country.