U.S. and other international travelers are increasingly being denied entry to Israel following interrogations about their connections to Palestinians, plans to visit the occupied West Bank, and opinions of Israel, according to lawyers representing affected individuals. In August, Israel denied entry to a group of international comedians invited to perform at a Palestinian comedy festival, as well as a U.S. multifaith delegation seeking to tour the West Bank and Jerusalem with a Palestinian Christian organization.
Rising Entry Denials and Pretravel Screening Data
Entry denials have risen sharply over the past year for reasons that did not constitute grounds for denial previously, including suspicions of anti-Israel views, according to Israeli lawyers representing travelers. Lawyer Adi Lustigman noted that complaints are received almost daily or weekly. In a statement to NPR, Israel’s Interior Ministry said it was unaware of an entry-ban phenomenon and stated that all travelers face the same rules. The ministry reported that since 2025, it has denied more than 21,000 requests for electronic travel authorizations, a pretravel screening required for visitors from the U.S., Canada, the European Union, and other visa-exempt countries.
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The U.S. State Department defended the actions, telling NPR in a statement that Israeli entry denials are consistent with the uniform application of Israeli law as part of ongoing efforts to protect against potential security threats.
Comedians Denied Entry for Palestine Comedy Festival
In early August, Los Angeles comedian Ahmed Al-kadri and five other comics from the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand landed in Israel to perform at the annual Palestine Comedy Festival in the West Bank. All but one were denied entry. Al-kadri recounted in a social media video that a border agent accused him of spreading anti-Israel views. The comedians were held in an airport detention facility before being deported. After returning home, they performed via Zoom for live audiences in Ramallah and Bethlehem. Festival organizer Amer Zahr stated that it was the first time since the festival’s founding in 2015, which previously held U.S. Consulate sponsorship, that Israel banned international comics from performing in person, despite the travelers holding valid Israeli pretravel authorizations.
Targeting of International Volunteers and Activists
Following a July 2023 pledge by Israel to treat all U.S. visitors equally in exchange for visa-free entry for Israelis, bans on international visitors have risen since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. In 2024, Israel began concerted efforts to deport international volunteers, including Jewish Americans, for participating in nonviolent “protective presence” activities designed to shield Palestinians from West Bank settler violence, according to Israeli lawyers. Additionally, legislation passed in 2025 bans entry to anyone who denies the October 7 attacks, calls for the prosecution of Israeli soldiers in international court, or advocates for a boycott of the country.
Interrogation Tactics and New Grounds for Exclusion
Lawyer Yotam Ben-Hillel stated that interrogators frequently question travelers about their opinions on the October 7 attacks and whether they support Hamas. Inconsistencies in answers can serve as grounds for denial. Additional reasons cited by Lustigman include participating in an organized tour of the West Bank, having phone numbers of Palestinian activists, or lacking active social media accounts, which agents may suspect were deleted prior to entry. Bans typically last between five to 10 years, though some have been successfully overturned in court.
Multifaith Delegation Blocked at Border
In August, Israel barred entry to 13 members of a U.S. multifaith delegation led by Methodist minister Ed Phillips, who planned to tour the West Bank and Jerusalem alongside the Palestinian Christian organization Sabeel. Participants described aggressive interrogations regarding their concerns for the Palestinian people. Sabeel reported that this marked the first time one of its international delegations had been denied entry. Organization head Omar Harami contacted U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who promised to look into the matter. The U.S. Embassy and State Department did not comment on the specific incident, though the State Department reiterated its goal of seeking equal treatment and freedom of travel for all U.S. citizens.
Did You Know?
Since 2025, Israel’s Interior Ministry has denied over 21,000 requests for electronic travel authorizations submitted by visitors from visa-exempt countries including the United States, Canada, and the European Union.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are international travelers being denied entry to Israel?
According to Israeli lawyers, entry denials have increased due to heightened suspicions regarding travelers’ connections to Palestinians, planned visits to the West Bank, opinions on the October 7 attacks, or participation in activist and volunteer networks.
Can Israeli entry bans be appealed?
Yes. Lawyers representing affected travelers note that while bans can last from five to 10 years, some decisions have been successfully overturned in court.
What is the official stance of the U.S. State Department?
The U.S. State Department stated that Israeli entry denials are consistent with the uniform application of Israeli law to protect against security threats, while also maintaining that the U.S. government seeks equal treatment and freedom of travel for all citizens regardless of origin or religion.
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