Ljubljana ( The COW News Digital) In a bold diplomatic move, Slovenia has declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “persona non grata” and imposed a travel ban on him, citing alleged war crimes in Gaza. The announcement was made by Slovenia’s State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Neva Grašič, who stressed that the decision reflects Slovenia’s commitment to international law and human rights.
“This action reaffirms our principled and consistent foreign policy,” Grašič said in a statement. “We have taken this step because Mr. Netanyahu is accused of committing war crimes in Gaza, as highlighted by ongoing proceedings at the International Court of Justice.”
Grašič added that Slovenia’s move is intended to send a clear message to Israel: the country expects full compliance with international court rulings and adherence to humanitarian law.
The decision comes against the backdrop of Slovenia’s increasingly assertive stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The European nation formally recognized Palestine as a state last year and has since taken a series of steps aimed at pressuring Israel to halt its military operations and settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories.
Earlier this year, Slovenia imposed sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers over their role in policies related to Gaza. In August, the country also banned arms sales to Israel and prohibited the import of goods produced in Israeli settlements located in occupied Palestinian territories.
Human rights organizations and pro-Palestinian groups have welcomed Slovenia’s decision, describing it as a rare but significant act of accountability within the European Union. “This is a courageous move that upholds international justice and shows solidarity with the victims of war crimes,” said a representative of a Slovenian human rights NGO.
The Israeli government has not yet officially responded to Slovenia’s declaration, but analysts expect a strong diplomatic reaction, including possible downgrading of bilateral ties. Some European foreign policy experts suggest that Slovenia’s action could inspire similar measures by other EU member states, though consensus within the bloc remains unlikely given the varied positions on Israel.
Observers note that this latest move underscores the growing international isolation faced by Israel’s leadership amid mounting criticism over its military campaign in Gaza. Slovenia’s travel ban represents one of the most direct actions taken by a European country against Netanyahu personally.
