Support Palestine, Slovenia Bans 2 Israeli Ministers From Stepping Into Their Countries

ILLUSTRATION/Israel Attack On Gaza/DOK UNICEF

JAKARTA - Slovenia declared two ministers of the far-right Israeli cabinet, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, as 'unwanted people' aka non-graft persona on Thursday.

Slovenia became the first EU country to do so after last year recognizing the Palestinian state.

The Slovenian government accused Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Smotrich of both Western Bank settlers of issuing "genocidal statements" and inciting violence against Palestinians.

Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said Slovenia had decided to take the move after EU foreign ministers did not agree on a joint action against Israel over allegations of human rights abuses at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday.

"Today, the government adopted one of the first national steps, namely declaring two Israeli ministers unwanted in the Republic of Slovenia," Fajon told a news conference.

"This kind of step is the first in the European Union. We are starting a new move," he said.

Other measures are being prepared, he continued without elaborating. There was no immediate comment from Israel on this matter.

Last year, Slovenia recognized 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 attack on Gaza in response to Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel in 2023 that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies. 251 people from Israel were taken to Gaza and held hostage.