Israel has barred Spanish journalist Queralt Castillo Cerezuela from entering the country, after the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism said her public activity included support for the BDS movement, accusations that Israel is committing “genocide” and calls for the end of “the Zionist regime.”
The move followed a recommendation by ministry director-general Avi Cohen-Scali to the Population and Immigration Authority to prevent Castillo Cerezuela from entering Israel in the future, the ministry said.
As a result of the recommendation, Castillo Cerezuela was also denied eligibility for a press card from Israel’s Government Press Office, preventing her from working as a journalist in Israel.
The ministry said Castillo Cerezuela, a Spanish citizen currently based in Greece, retweeted content from boycott groups, including the Madrid branch of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, expressed support for BDS, accused Israel of committing “genocide” and voiced hope for the end of “the Zionist regime.”
The recommendation was made under Amendment No. 40 to Israel’s Entry into Israel Law and in accordance with an interministerial agreement on such referrals, the ministry said.
Castillo Cerezuela works as a journalist in Greece and specializes in international politics, human rights and migration. In recent years, she has reported for the Spanish outlets Diari ARA, in Catalan, since 2022, and elDiario.es, in Spanish, since 2023. She has also worked with La Marea, El Salto and Condé Nast.
Based in Athens, she mainly covers Greece and the Balkans, including refugee issues, European policy and regional political developments.
Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli said the decision reflects a broader policy of denying entry or activity in Israel to those he described as hostile to the country.
“The Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism is implementing in practice a policy under which haters of Israel will not be allowed entry or activity in its territory,” Chikli said. “Spain is a powerhouse of antisemitism. We will continue to fight antisemitism and BDS supporters.”
Cohen-Scali said Castillo Cerezuela’s conduct went beyond legitimate criticism of Israel.
“Her activity exceeds legitimate expression of opinion and criticism of the State of Israel and is characterized by inciting calls against Israel’s actions and the dissemination of content with antisemitic, anti-Zionist and anti-Israel characteristics,” he said. “We will continue to act to keep the enemies of the Jewish people away from the State of Israel.”
First published: 11:33, 04.30.26