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yesterday

Slovenia Bars Far-Right Israeli Ministers as Persona Non Grata

Slovenia cited their genocidal rhetoric as incitement of violence against Palestinians, signaling that more national measures are on the way.

Israeli National Security Minister and head of Jewish Power party Itamar Ben-Gvir gives a statement to members of the press, ahead of a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Jerusalem, January 16, 2025. REUTERS/Oren Ben Hakoon/File Photo
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a Plenum session of the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, also attended by Argentine President Javier Milei (not pictured), in Jerusalem, June 11, 2025 REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich who has been barred by Slovenia along with fellow far-right firebrand National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir

Overview

  • Slovenia declared National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata, the first such action by a European Union member state.
  • Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon accused the ministers of inciting extreme violence and serious human-rights violations against Palestinians through genocidal statements.
  • Fajon said the move followed a failure by EU foreign ministers to agree on collective sanctions over allegations of human-rights abuses.
  • The Slovenian government indicated it is preparing additional unilateral measures without specifying their nature or timing.
  • The ban builds on sanctions imposed in June by Australia, Canada, Britain, New Zealand and Norway and follows Slovenia’s 2024 recognition of a Palestinian state.