Israeli authorities have denied entry to prominent anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour following a recommendation by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, in accordance with the policy of Minister Amichai Chikli.

The ministry said it acted after receiving information from the Population and Immigration Authority and other sources indicating that Sarsour was expected to arrive in Israel. Following a review, Ministry Director-General Avi Cohen-Scali recommended that she be denied entry under Amendment 40 to Israel’s Entry Law and pursuant to existing interagency procedures governing such cases. The recommendation was accepted, and Sarsour was barred from entering the country.

According to the ministry, Sarsour has been a prominent supporter of the BDS movement, which advocates boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel. Officials said she has participated in and encouraged anti-Israel activism in the United States and has been involved in campaigns promoting sanctions against Israel.

The ministry also accused Sarsour of supporting anti-Israel demonstrations on American college campuses and cited her involvement with organizations including Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and American Muslims for Palestine (AMP).

Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli said: “I instructed my ministry’s director-general, Avi Cohen-Scali, to prevent the entry into Israel of Linda Sarsour, one of the most prominent figures behind anti-Israel boycott activity in the United States and one of the leaders of the violent protests supporting Hamas after October 7. In doing so, we continue to implement without compromise the policy I established at the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism: Anyone who incites and supports boycotts against the State of Israel will bear the consequences and will themselves be boycotted.”

Avi Cohen-Scali, director-general of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, said: “Those who incite and fuel hatred against the State of Israel will not set foot in it. We will continue to act to prevent hostile and antisemitic elements from entering the territory of the State of Israel.”

The decision is the latest step by Israeli authorities to enforce laws restricting entry for foreign nationals who actively promote boycotts against Israel or engage in activities viewed as hostile to the state.