Egypt Daily News – In an unprecedented move within the European Union, the Slovenian government announced on Thursday that it has officially banned two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, from entering its territory, citing their extremist rhetoric and support for policies that violate Palestinian human rights.
The decision reflects Slovenia’s increasingly assertive foreign policy stance regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in the wake of the ongoing war in Gaza. It also follows the country’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine in 2024, alongside Ireland, Spain, and Norway.
According to an official statement released by the Slovenian government, Ben Gvir and Smotrich — both senior members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition — have been designated as “persona non grata” due to their “genocidal statements, incitement to extremist violence, and grave violations of Palestinian human rights.”
Condemnation of Settlement Expansion and “Ethnic Cleansing”
The statement strongly criticized the ministers’ vocal support for the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and their encouragement of policies the Slovenian government described as resembling “ethnic cleansing,” particularly in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Slovenia’s Foreign Minister, Tanja Fajon, addressed reporters on Thursday, describing the move as the first of its kind by a European Union member state. “We are, in a way, pioneers in this field,” she said, adding that Slovenia was sending a “clear message to the Israeli government that the massacre of innocent civilians must end.”
Growing International Isolation for Far-Right Israeli Officials
The travel ban follows similar actions taken in June by the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, all of which imposed sanctions and travel restrictions on Ben Gvir and Smotrich. Those measures were condemned by U.S. officials, highlighting a growing rift between Washington and some of its traditional allies over the handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ben Gvir, Israel’s Minister of National Security, and Smotrich, the Finance Minister, have both come under intense international scrutiny for remarks and policies perceived as inflammatory and discriminatory toward Palestinians. Critics have accused them of openly advocating for annexation, forced displacement, and militarized crackdowns in Palestinian territories.
Slovenia’s Active Role in Palestinian Advocacy
Slovenia has emerged as a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights within the EU. The country’s recognition of Palestinian statehood in 2024 marked a major diplomatic shift, aligning Ljubljana with a growing bloc of European nations calling for an end to the Israeli occupation and increased accountability for human rights abuses.
The move comes amid mounting international criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and large-scale destruction. Slovenia has repeatedly condemned the civilian toll of the war and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Diplomatic Implications
While Slovenia’s ban on the two ministers is largely symbolic in practical terms, it carries significant diplomatic weight and could inspire similar actions by other European governments. It also places additional pressure on the Netanyahu government, already facing deepening international isolation and legal challenges in international forums over its conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.
As diplomatic momentum builds around efforts to de-escalate the conflict and promote a two-state solution, Slovenia appears intent on using its position within the EU and the United Nations to push for a stronger international response to what it describes as systemic abuses by Israeli officials.
