Ljubljana, Slovenia – On September 25, 2025, Slovenia took a significant diplomatic action by declaring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu persona non grata, effectively barring his entry into the country. This decision stems from ongoing international proceedings against Netanyahu concerning alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
State Secretary Neva Grasic stated that the measure is not an affront to the Israeli people but a clear message to the Israeli government regarding its adherence to international law. Grasic referenced the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion from July 2024, which deemed Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory unlawful. This opinion highlighted that Israel's policies and practices, including settlement expansion, violate international law, and that states are obliged not to recognize and not to support Israel's illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories. Furthermore, a report released on September 16, 2025, by the UN Human Rights Council's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory characterized Israel's actions in Gaza as genocidal.
In parallel with the declaration concerning Prime Minister Netanyahu, Slovenia has committed €1.2 million (approximately $1.3 million) to support the Palestinian Authority. This contribution is part of a broader initiative involving France, Spain, Norway, and Saudi Arabia, aimed at bolstering the financial sustainability of the Palestinian Authority. Slovenia's recognition of the State of Palestine on June 4, 2024, underscores its commitment to a two-state solution and the reinforcement of political support with financial resources.
These developments align with broader international efforts to ensure accountability for alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The UN Palestinian Rights Committee has consistently called for an immediate, internationally supervised ceasefire in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, alongside demands for Israel to lift its blockade and cease all unlawful measures. The UN General Assembly has also repeatedly passed resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, reflecting a global call for de-escalation and adherence to international legal frameworks.
Slovenia's actions are consistent with its previous measures, including declaring Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata in July 2025 due to accusations of inciting violence and human rights violations with “genocidal statements.” The country also previously imposed an arms embargo on Israel in July 2025 and a ban on imports of goods produced in the West Bank in August 2025. These cumulative actions signal Slovenia's firm stance on upholding international law and advocating for a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.