Israeli Civilian Held in Turkey for 10 Days Under Erdogan Insult Law

An Israeli woman has been held in custody in Turkey for more than 10 days on suspicion of insulting the Turkish flag, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and references to Palestine, Israeli officials confirmed over the weekend. The arrest took place in Istanbul, in the central Taksim Square, according to Hebrew and English media reports.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it is aware of the case and that it is being addressed through consular channels. “The incident is known to us and is being handled by the Consular Affairs Division,” the ministry said, without providing further details.

The woman has been identified as Avivit Amber, though Turkish authorities have not released official information about her identity or the specific charges. Most details surrounding the case have emerged through Turkish social media and Israeli reporting.

According to available reports, the woman was traveling alone in Turkey when she was detained in late January. Her family has been informed, and behind-the-scenes efforts are underway to resolve the situation. Images circulating online appear to show police officers escorting the woman shortly after her arrest.

The alleged offenses may fall under Turkish laws that criminalize insulting the president and desecrating national symbols. Violations can carry prison sentences of one to four years, though foreigners charged under these provisions are often deported rather than jailed. Turkish media watchdog Turkish Minute reported that authorities investigated more than 50,000 people for violating the law against insulting the president between 2019 and 2022. 

Turkey has been among Israel’s sharpest critics during the conflict with Gaza, with President Erdoğan issuing repeated denunciations of Israeli policy and the Turkish government hosting officials from Hamas. Pro-government Turkish media has frequently portrayed Israel as a leading regional threat.

At the same time, Turkish officials have recently signaled that the rupture in relations may not be permanent. In an interview with Al Jazeera last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that ties with Israel could be restored under certain conditions. “The rupture in relations is not structural, but conditional,” Fidan said, adding that Turkey would consider resuming trade once the war in Gaza ends and humanitarian aid is allowed into the Strip.

In 2021, an Israeli couple, Natali and Mordy Oknin, were arrested after photographing Erdoğan’s presidential palace in Istanbul. They were released after a week in custody following intervention by senior Israeli officials.

For now, Turkish authorities have not indicated whether the Israeli woman will be prosecuted or deported. Israeli consular officials continue to handle the case as it remains unresolved.