An Open Letter to the Israeli Immigration Office

An Open Letter to the Israeli Immigration Office

I am writing to you from the Netherlands as a woman who has carried Israel in her heart for most of her life. My connection is not abstract or ideological alone. It is deeply personal, shaped by my childhood in the Middle East, where I lived in both Syria and Israel. I witnessed two worlds side by side. I saw the difference in culture, in values, and in the way people approached life, freedom, and truth. Those experiences stayed with me and guided my understanding of right and wrong long after I returned to Europe.

For years, I have been an active advocate for Israel. I spoke up in conversations, in professional settings, and through my work. I believed that in Europe, even when disagreements existed, there was still a line that people would not cross. Antisemitism existed, but it was hidden, pushed into the margins of society where it belonged. It was something people were ashamed of.

That has changed.

Since October 7, something has broken open. What was once whispered is now shouted. What was once hidden is now normalized. Antisemitism is no longer confined to the shadows. It is visible, loud, and increasingly accepted under the disguise of political expression. Many claim it is only anti Zionism, but those of us who experience it know the difference. The hostility is not about policy. It is about identity.

And in the Netherlands, we have already seen where this can lead.

In November 2024, during the Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax match, what unfolded in Amsterdam was described by many as a pogrom. Jewish fans were hunted in the streets, attacked, and forced to hide simply because of who they were. The images and testimonies were shocking, but for those of us living here, they were not entirely surprising. They confirmed what we had already been feeling, that something deeply dangerous had taken root.

I have paid a personal price for speaking out. I lost my job after explaining what really happened on October 7. Job interviews were canceled after employers viewed my public advocacy. My professional reputation has been quietly undermined. Beyond that, the harassment has become physical and deeply unsettling. Eggs thrown at my door. A dead pigeon left on my handle. Insults shouted at me in the street. Threats that are no longer vague or distant, but immediate and real.

This is the reality of being openly pro Israel in the Netherlands today.

In my search for safety and belonging, I turned to the idea of Aliyah. Israel is not just a country to me. It is the place where I felt a sense of moral clarity, where I understood what it means to stand on the right side of history. It is the land I love. It is where I want to build my future and continue my advocacy without fear.

However, my request was denied. I was told that my indirect evidence of Jewish identity was not sufficient, and that I would need to undergo a formal conversion. I want to be honest. I am not religious. I cannot in good conscience present myself under conditions that do not reflect who I am. I refuse to come to Israel under false pretenses, even if my heart is already there.

I also tried to reach out through other channels. I contacted the office of the President. I reached out to members of parliament. I tried to make my situation known. I did not receive a response.

Now, the situation in Europe continues to deteriorate. With rising tensions in the region and escalating conflicts, the atmosphere here has become even more hostile. It is no longer just uncomfortable. It is unsafe. For Jews, for Zionists, and for anyone who dares to speak openly in support of Israel, the risks are growing every day.

This is why I am now asking for political asylum.

I am not asking as someone who wants to take without giving. I am the founder of an initiative called Time To Stand Up For Israel. I am committed to advocacy, to education, and to standing up against misinformation and hatred. No person will advocate harder, louder, or more persistently for Israel than I will. I am ready to contribute, to work, and to be part of the society that I believe in.

Europe is changing, and not for the better. The Netherlands, a country once known for tolerance and openness, no longer feels safe for people like me. I fear that what we are witnessing is not temporary, but a deeper shift.

To those who can make decisions, I ask you to see beyond technicalities and procedures. I ask you to recognize the reality on the ground. There are people like me who stand with Israel not out of convenience, but out of conviction. We are now facing consequences that go beyond disagreement. We are facing exclusion, hostility, and danger.

Help us.

Open the door to those who are already standing with you.

Sincerely,
A worried pro Israel advocate