Latest news with #BezalelSmotrich


Russia Today
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU country blacklists hardline Israeli ministers over Gaza
Slovenia barred entry to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Saturday, accusing them of 'genocidal statements' and calls for violence against Palestinians. Both ministers are key partners in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government, and are known for their far-right views and comments on the Gaza war and the West Bank. The Slovenian Foreign Ministry announced Saturday that Smotrich and Ben-Gvir would be declared 'persona non grata.' The two Israeli officials 'made genocidal statements and incited extreme violence and severe human rights violations against Palestinians,' the ministry said. It accused them of publicly advocating 'expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank' and violence against the Palestinian population. Through their statements and actions, they promote the ethnic cleansing of the West Bank and Gaza. Ben-Gvir, who heads the hardline nationalist Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, oversees the police and has previously refused to arrest Israeli settlers accused of attacks on Palestinians. Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism Party, has openly supported the annexation of Palestinian territories. Both have suggested stopping the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza as a way of pressuring Hamas to release Israeli hostages. Just days before Slovenia's decision, the EU's foreign ministers opted to postpone proposed sanctions on Israel over its actions in Gaza, saying they would 'keep a close watch' on the country's promises to increase aid to the Palestinian enclave. Last month, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway imposed personal sanctions on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, accusing them of inciting violence against Palestinian communities.


LBCI
3 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Slovenia bans two far-right Israeli ministers from entering: government
Slovenia announced on Thursday that it would ban two far-right Israeli ministers from entering the country, in what authorities said was a first in the European Union. Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, key coalition partners of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will be declared "persona non grata," the government said in a statement, accusing them of inciting "extreme violence and serious violations of the human rights of Palestinians" with "their genocidal statements". AFP


Leaders
3 days ago
- Business
- Leaders
Israel to Increase Defense Spending amid Ongoing Deadly War in Gaza
Israeli Finance and Defense Ministries announced that the government will increase defense spending by 42 billion shekels ($12.5 billion) in 2025 and 2026, according to Reuters. Both ministers added that the budget agreement will allow the Defense Ministry to 'advance urgent and essential procurement deals critical to national security.' Crucially, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that the new budget 'fully covers the intense fighting in Gaza, alongside comprehensive security preparations for all threats — from the south, the north, and more distant arenas.' Since the beginning of Gaza War, Israeli military costs have witnessed unprecedented growth. Along with the deadly war in Gaza, Israel has also been in war with Hezbollah in Lebanon and with Iran over Tehran's nuclear program. Moreover, Israel launched several airstrikes in Syria this week after pledging to destroy government forces that attack Druze minority in southern Syria. Apart from this, Israel's missile defense systems have been intercepting almost daily missiles fired by Hezbollah, Iran and Houthis in Yemen. Currently, the Israeli government's defense spending is 110 billion shekels – approximately 9% of gross domestic product – out of a total 2025 budget of 756 billion shekels. Director General of the Defense Ministry, Amir Baram, said that the extra budgetary funding 'will allow the Defense Ministry to immediately sign procurement deals for the weapons and ammunition required to replenish depleted stocks and support the IDF's ongoing operations.' Baram also added that the funding will also enable the defense establishment to set development programs to elevate the Israel Defense Forces' qualitative edge for future systems. Related Topics: Trump, Qatari PM to Discuss Gaza Deal at White House Gaza Talks Stalled as Hamas, Israel Trade Blame UN: Nearly 800 Killed Seeking Aid in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Talks Short link : Post Views: 18
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Slovenia declares two Israeli ministers persona non grata
SARAJEVO (Reuters) -Slovenia declared two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, persona non grata on Thursday, the first European Union country to do so, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said. The government accused Israel's national security minister Ben-Gvir and finance minister Smotrich - both West Bank settlers - of making "genocidal statements" and inciting violence against Palestinians. There was no immediate reaction from Israel's government which has regularly rejected accusations of genocide in Gaza, and says it is acting in self-defence following the deadly October 7, 2023, attack led by Hamas militants. Fajon said Slovenia had decided to make the move after EU foreign ministers did not agree on joint action against Israel over charges of human rights violations at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. "Today, the government adopted one of the first national measures, which is to declare two Israeli ministers... unwanted in the Republic of Slovenia," Fajon told a news conference. "This kind of measure is the first of its kind in the European Union. We are breaking new ground," she said. Other measures were being prepared, she added, without going into detail. Slovenia's government issued a statement saying the ministers "publicly advocate the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the forced evictions of Palestinians, and call for violence against the civilian Palestinian population". Last year, Slovenia recognised an independent Palestinian state. In June, Britain, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, imposed sanctions on the two Israeli ministers, accusing them of inciting violence against Palestinians. Israel began its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in 2023 in which 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, according to Israeli tallies, and 251 people were taken to Gaza and held hostage. Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. Solve the daily Crossword


Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Slovenia Sanctions Two Israeli Ministers Over Treatment of Gaza
Slovenia declared two Israeli ministers personae non grata, becoming the first European Union country to do so as it seeks to put pressure on Israel over its treatment of Gaza and its citizens. The government in Ljubljana sanctioned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for 'genocidal' statements regarding Palestinians, according to Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon.