PRESS RELEASE
17 September 2026
Friends of Al-Aqsa has learned that the Israeli government intends to ban the organisation from entering Israel, accusing FOA of promoting a boycott of Israel.
Ismail Patel, Chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa said:
"To hear Israel is planning to ban Friends of Al-Aqsa for our BDS campaign clearly shows BDS is working and impacting Israel. The global civil society should redouble their efforts in the boycott against Israel and help end the illegal occupation".
Israel has spent years attempting to silence organisations, activists and politicians who challenge its illegal occupation and violations against Palestinians. Banning FOA will not make the occupation disappear nor erase the reality of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
The ban on FOA forms part of an ongoing attempt by the racist Israeli government to intimidate and silence those highlighting its gross human rights violations against Palestinians.
FOA has consistently campaigned against Israel’s occupation, apartheid and genocide, including through peaceful boycott campaigns. Its support for BDS is public and longstanding. Israel previously included FOA on a 2018 list of organisations whose members would be denied entry because of their support for BDS.
The repeated announcements of a ban on FOA are a sign of desperation by Israel. It shows campaigning is working and the world no longer accepts Israeli Zionist propaganda.
The attempt to restrict FOA comes at a time when international pressure on Israel is increasing, with 12 countries including the UK, Spain and Canada imposing a boycott on goods to and from the West Bank.
Patel added:
“I will continue to highlight the Israeli human rights violations, potential war crimes and genocide against Palestinians. Israeli restrictions will not intimidate us"
Israel's attempt to silence Friends of Al-Aqsa demonstrates why civil society pressure remains necessary. FOA calls on governments around the world to impose full sanctions on Israel.
Friends of Al-Aqsa will continue to work in Britain and internationally to mobilise public support for Palestinian rights and challenge Israeli systems of oppression through peaceful mechanisms.
