Slovenia Bans 2 Israeli Ministers over Extremist Rhetoric
Slovenia has
imposed
an unprecedented travel ban within the European Union on two far-right Israeli ministers, citing incitement to violence and serious human rights violations against Palestinians.
This move was reported on Thursday following a cabinet decision by the Slovenian government.
The ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, both senior figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, have been officially declared persona non grata.
According to the government statement, the decision stems from their repeated public remarks supporting genocidal rhetoric, the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, and policies encouraging *ethnic cleansing*, particularly amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon described the move as a first-of-its-kind in the EU, stating it sends a strong message to the Israeli government.
The ban aligns Slovenia with countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, which imposed sanctions and travel bans on the same ministers earlier this year. These restrictions, however, were criticized by Washington.
Slovenia has taken an increasingly active stance on Middle East diplomacy, especially amid growing international scrutiny of Israel's military actions in Gaza. In 2024, the country joined Ireland, Spain, and Norway in recognizing Palestinian statehood.
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