Two Israeli ministers, Smotrich and Be-Gvir, are persona non gratae for the Slovenian government.

Slovenia has announced a measure unprecedented in the European Union: the entry ban on two far-right Israeli ministers, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir . This decision, accompanied by the declaration of both as "persona non grata," was motivated by Slovenian authorities accusing the two ministers of inciting extreme violence and committing serious violations of Palestinian human rights through their "genocidal statements." This move represents a turning point in relations between Slovenia and Israel and reflects growing international tensions over Israeli policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza and the West Bank.

Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon explained in a statement that the decision was a way to put pressure on the Israeli government, following the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob had announced that Slovenia would act alone in the absence of an EU-wide agreement. Sanctions against Ben-Gvir and Smotric were already adopted in mid-June by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Norway, although the five countries' joint statement mentioned incitement to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, but did not mention Gaza. Minister Fajon's statement spoke of ongoing ethnic cleansing in the West Bank and Gaza, actions that contradict the International Court of Justice 's advisory opinion of July last year on Israel's policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (ANSA)

Statements by the two Israeli ministers

Smotrich declared in 2025 that " Gaza will be completely destroyed" and opposed the entry of any humanitarian aid, arguing that mass starvation could be justified to secure the release of the hostages. He also defended the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, declaring on X that "Britain has already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we will not allow them to do so again."

Ben-Gvir has called for the “permanent expulsion” of Palestinians from Gaza and has incited settlers to use violence in the occupied territories, arguing that “ not a single Palestinian should be left .” His positions have been described by some academics, such as Eva Illouz, a French-Israeli sociologist, as an example of “ Jewish fascism.”

Both ministers are known for their religious fanaticism and their support for the colonization of the West Bank and Gaza, territories considered illegally occupied under international law. Their positions have further polarized political debate in Israel and intensified international criticism.

These statements have attracted the attention of several governments and international organizations. Before Slovenia, other countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway had imposed sanctions against the two ministers in June 2025, freezing their assets and banning them from entering their respective territories. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy described their statements as "monstrous" and accused the two ministers of inciting extremist violence and violating Palestinian human rights.

Ben Gvir visits the Al Aqsa compound (Reuters)

September 16, 2024

Europe's position

In May, the Netherlands , Israel's historic partner, called upon other governments and the EU executive to consider activating Article 2 of the Association Agreement —which binds bilateral relations to respect for human rights and democratic principles —in response to the blockade of aid to Gaza. A proposal supported by a total of 17 countries, led by the Netherlands , Spain, France, Ireland, and Slovenia. A delicate operation—an "exercise," in Kallas's definition—that does not aim to suspend the treaty signed in 2000 but rather proposes to freeze its action plan, effectively blocking the progress of cooperation. This is also a strong signal on the economic front: the agreement is the foundation of a trade relationship worth over 46 billion euros .

However, some did not like the move, and three countries in particular distanced themselves: Italy, Germany, and Hungary. And, in more nuanced terms , Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic also did so.

And finally, on July 15, the European Union decided not to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement: High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas 's proposal to adopt—in whole or in part—a document containing ten options for action against Israel, starting with the suspension of the Association Agreement itself, accused of violating international law in the Gaza Strip, was rejected. None of the options—including the suspension of preferential trade and/or research pillars, an arms embargo, direct sanctions against Israeli ministers, the suspension of visa-free travel for Israeli citizens to the European Union, and a ban on trade with Israeli settlements—received the necessary support from foreign ministers, namely unanimity. Among the countries opposed was Italy. At the conclusion of the Foreign Affairs Council , Kallas assured that the EU "will continue to monitor the humanitarian aid situation every two weeks ."

And Slovenia has decided to mark a significant turning point , breaking the EU taboo on sanctioning members of an allied government like Israel's. A path that could be followed by other countries.