Pro-Israel Turkish Student Seeks Asylum After Erdoğan Threat

Türkü Avcı, a Turkish student at the Hebrew University, is seeking political asylum in Israel after becoming one of the country’s most visible pro-Israel voices from Turkey.

Avcı came to Israel to study. However, after publicly defending Israel, she became a target in her home country. The Jerusalem Post reported earlier this year that Avcı faced threats after identifying herself as a Zionist.

A Voice for Israel

Avcı’s case stands out because she is not Israeli and did not grow up inside the Jewish state’s national story.

Yet she chose to speak clearly in Israel’s defense. According to the report, that decision brought a heavy personal price.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reportedly sent her a formal legal letter accusing her of “insulting the president.” If Avcı returns to Turkey, she is expected to face immediate arrest and up to six years in prison, along with severe restrictions on her civil rights.

Seeking Asylum

Avcı told Mako that her student visa has expired and that she has applied for asylum in Israel with a local attorney.

“My student visa has expired, and together with a local attorney I submitted the request to receive asylum here,” she said. “Right now, I am defined as an illegal refugee.”

She added that her second meeting at the Interior Ministry will only take place in November. At that meeting, she said, her request will be submitted officially.

Paying the Price

Avcı said her current status has left her trapped.

“Because of my current situation, I cannot work, I have no health insurance rights, and I cannot even fly abroad,” she told Mako.

She said organizers invited her to conferences in London and South Africa to speak on Israel’s behalf. However, under her current status, she cannot travel.

For Israel, her case raises a direct moral question. A young Turkish student defended the Jewish state at personal risk. Now she is asking the Jewish state to defend her.