Slovenia declares two Israeli ministers persona non grata, citing genocidal statements

Slovenia has made history as the first European Union member state to impose national sanctions against Israel, declaring National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance and Defense Minister Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon announced the decision, emphasizing Slovenia’s intent to send a clear message: “The massacre of innocent civilians in Gaza must stop.”

Before joining the government Tanja Fajon was a member of the European Parliament from the S&D group. In hr previous work as journalist she is also the author of several documentaries, including Rise of the extreme right in Europe, Human tragedies at the doorstep of Europe, and Constitution of European Union.

The Slovenian government accuses Ben-Gvir and Smotrich of making “genocidal statements,” inciting extreme violence, committing serious human rights violations, and publicly supporting the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, forced displacement of Palestinians, and violence against civilians. The government’s statement described their actions as promoting “ethnic cleansing in the West Bank and Gaza.”

Political Background of Bezalel Smotrich

Bezalel Smotrich, born in 1980 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, is a prominent figure in Israel’s far-right Religious Zionism party, which holds 14 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. Raised in the West Bank settlement of Beit El and currently residing in the Kedumim settlement – both deemed illegal under international law – Smotrich’s ideology is rooted in religious Zionism, influenced by Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah Kook’s vision of Jewish settlement as a divine imperative. A lawyer by training, he co-founded Regavim in 2006, an NGO dedicated to blocking Palestinian construction while promoting Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Entering the Knesset in 2015 with the Jewish Home party, Smotrich rose to lead Religious Zionism, becoming a key coalition partner in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 2022 government. As finance minister and a minister in the Defence Ministry overseeing West Bank civil affairs, he has accelerated settlement expansion, often bypassing legal oversight, and advocated for annexing the territory. His inflammatory rhetoric, including denying the existence of a Palestinian people and suggesting in 2023 that starving 2 million Gazans might be “justified” until hostages are released, has drawn widespread condemnation, including from Germany. Smotrich’s self-description as a “fascist homophobe” and past actions, such as organizing an anti-gay “Beast Parade” in 2006, underscore his extremist views. In 2025, he faced sanctions from the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway for inciting settler violence.

Political background of Itamar Ben-Gvir

Itamar Ben-Gvir, born in 1976 to Iraqi-Kurdish parents in a Jerusalem suburb, leads the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, holding six Knesset seats. A follower of Rabbi Meir Kahane’s banned Kach movement, which advocated expelling Palestinians, Ben-Gvir embraced far-right extremism as a teenager, leading to his exemption from mandatory military service due to security concerns. Convicted in his early 30s for incitement to racism and supporting a terrorist organization, he became a lawyer defending Jewish extremists, including those charged with violence against Palestinians. His living room once displayed a portrait of Baruch Goldstein, who killed 29 Palestinians in a 1994 Hebron mosque massacre.

Entering the Knesset in 2021, Ben-Gvir became national security minister in 2022, overseeing Israel’s police and parts of West Bank security. His policies, such as loosening restrictions on settler violence and arming Jewish civilians, have been linked to increased attacks on Palestinians. In 2025, his call for Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount and advocacy for replacing the Al-Aqsa Mosque with a synagogue sparked global outrage. Sanctioned by multiple countries in June 2025 for inciting violence, Ben-Gvir’s provocative acts, like brandishing a gun during East Jerusalem clashes, have solidified his reputation as a polarizing figure.

Slovenia’s unprecedented move

Slovenia’s decision follows the failure of EU foreign ministers to agree on joint action against Israel for human rights abuses during a Brussels meeting. Prime Minister Robert Golob had previously signalled that Slovenia would act alongside like-minded countries if the EU did not take the lead. Fajon criticized the EU-Israel agreement to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, stating, “In practice, it does not work,” and highlighted the deaths of Palestinians awaiting aid and Israel’s plan to evacuate Gaza to Rafah.

“On Tuesday, I called on the head of European diplomacy to present concrete proposals, but unfortunately, there is no political will,” she said, reaffirming Slovenia’s commitment to a two-state solution.

Since June 2025, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Norway have imposed sanctions on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich for inciting violence in the West Bank, though Gaza was not explicitly mentioned at the time. These measures included asset freezes and travel bans, targeting the ministers in their personal capacities.

Broader context and implications

The sanctions reflect Slovenia’s response to Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran, alongside settlement expansion and restrictions on humanitarian aid, which are seen as hallmarks of Netanyahu’s government. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, both West Bank settlers, are considered among the most extreme voices in the coalition, with Smotrich’s residence in an illegal settlement symbolizing their hardline stance. Their parties, critical to Netanyahu’s fragile coalition, have mainstreamed ultra-nationalist ideologies, opposing ceasefire efforts and advocating for Palestinian displacement.

Slovenia’s initiative signals a growing trend within the EU to pressure Israel, despite a lack of consensus among member states. Whether Ljubljana’s bold move will inspire other EU countries or remain an isolated act remains uncertain, as Europe grapples with divisions over the Middle East conflict. The sanctions underscore global concerns over the ministers’ roles in escalating tensions and undermining prospects for a two-state solution.

Edited by g.g.

More Slovenia coverage here.

Caption: Slovenian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon speaks during a press conference with her German counterpart at the foreign ministry in Berlin, Germany, 15 July 2025. EPA/CLEMENS BILAN