Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir Targets Turkish Actor Görkem Sevindik Over Palestine Posts

Turkish actor Görkem Sevindik has become the center of a diplomatic and entertainment row following his public condemnation of Israeli government policies. The controversy has escalated to the highest levels of the Israeli government, resulting in direct threats against the actor from the Israeli National Security Minister.

Sevindik is widely recognized for his role as Kadir’s father in the popular television series Eşref Rüya. The show’s popularity extends beyond Turkey, as it is also broadcast in Israel, where it has become one of the most-watched series in the country.

Social Media Activism and Political Backlash

The friction began after Sevindik used his Instagram account to voice opposition to a bill approved by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) proposing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners. In his posts, Sevindik claimed that 12,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 4,000 children, were scheduled for execution within a 90-day window.

Sevindik framed his posts as a humanitarian appeal, urging the world not to remain silent and calling for opposition to the executions. He stated that the actions were a moral reflex in response to the humanitarian situation.

The actor’s statements provoked an immediate and strong reaction within Israel. Viewers of Eşref Rüya in Israel began leaving negative comments for Sevindik, and calls for a boycott of the series emerged across the country.

Threats from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir

The situation intensified when Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli Minister of National Security, released a video specifically targeting Sevindik. Ben-Gvir’s response directly referenced the actor’s role in Eşref Rüya, mocking his character.

Kadir, you will never be a father, Kadir. You might be living in a Turkish soap opera, but we are here in Israel.

Itamar Ben-Gvir

Ben-Gvir, the leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, has a documented history of anti-Arab activism and is a settler in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. His intervention transformed a social media dispute into a high-profile diplomatic incident between a government official and an entertainment professional.

Industry Context and Response

Sevindik’s activism reflects a broader trend within the global entertainment industry. In September 2025, a significant number of high-profile Hollywood figures joined a pledge organized by Film Workers for Palestine to boycott Israeli state-funded movie institutions.

In response to the backlash and the threats from the Israeli minister, Sevindik has remained defiant. He stated that he does not care about the reactions and maintains that he stands behind his words, reiterating that his posts were based on humanitarian and moral grounds.

The controversy highlights the increasing intersection of celebrity influence and geopolitical conflict, particularly as international television productions like Eşref Rüya bridge cultural divides while simultaneously becoming targets for political expression and retaliation.