Israeli Woman Confronted by Protesters in Istanbul Mall

A group of pro-Palestinian activists surrounded and confronted an Israeli woman at the Istinye Park shopping mall in Istanbul on Sunday. Security staff eventually escorted her out of the building.

Claudia Medina Halfon, who holds Israeli and Turkish citizenship and organizes trips for Israelis coming to Turkey for hair transplants and other medical treatments, was shopping when about 20 to 25 activists spotted her. According to Turkish media, the group waved Turkish and Palestinian flags, called her a "terrorist" and chanted "Down with Zionism! I don't want Zionists in my country!" Video circulated online shows Medina Halfon trying to get away from the group before being backed into a corner.

The confrontation began as a verbal argument and escalated into a physical scuffle, Turkish outlets reported. Police and medical teams were sent to the scene, the mall was evacuated, and police have opened an investigation.

The activists were affiliated with a group called the Freedom Watch Platform. Medina Halfon had been the target of a social media campaign in Turkey for weeks before the incident, with activists claiming her children serve in the IDF and that she arranges medical treatment and accommodation in Istanbul for Israeli soldiers. Two days before the confrontation, an activist group called the October 7 Movement filed a criminal complaint against her with the Istanbul prosecutor's office.