Slovenia Declares Two Israeli Ministers Persona Non Grata Over Human Rights Concerns

On July 17, 2025, Slovenia became the first European Union country to declare Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata. The Slovenian government cited the ministers' alleged incitement to violence and violations of Palestinian human rights as the basis for this decision. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon emphasized that this action was taken after EU foreign ministers failed to reach a consensus on joint measures against Israel over human rights concerns. Slovenia's move follows similar actions by other nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, which had previously imposed sanctions on the two ministers for similar reasons. Slovenia's decision underscores its commitment to addressing human rights issues and its support for international law. The Slovenian government has indicated that further measures are under consideration, reflecting its proactive stance on human rights matters. This development highlights the ongoing international discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader Middle East situation. Slovenia's actions are part of a growing trend of countries taking individual measures in response to perceived human rights violations, signaling a shift towards more assertive foreign policy approaches in addressing international conflicts and human rights issues.