Slovenia sanctioned two Israeli ministers because of war in Palestine

This decision has been made known to the public by Foreign Affairs Minister Tanja Fajon, who stressed that this is the first time a European Union member state takes such a step.

This is where we are sending a clear message to Israeli authorities that the killings of civilians, ethnic cleansing and behavior with genocide elements must be stopped,” pronounced Fajon. She also warned that the Slovenian government is preparing additional national measures, hoping other European countries will follow suit.

The sanctions are directed at Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister for National Security of Israel, and Bezalel Smotrich, finance minister and interim defence minister simultaneously. According to Slovenian government's reasoning, these two officials are known for the rhetoric that opened support the expansion of illegal settlements in occupied territories, the forced shift of Palestinians and violence against civilians.

The “Declarations and their actions directly undermine international law and constitute a form of incentive for ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Coast,”, the official statement said. This ruling also refers to the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion from July 2024, which condemns Israeli politics in occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

Fajon, earlier this week in Brussels, where EU foreign ministers gathered, expressed disappointment at the lack of unity within the Union over the response to Israeli military operations in Gaza. The humanitarian assistance agreement cannot be used as an excuse for political inactivity,” it warned.

She also called for an emergency ceasefire, the release of hostages, the launch of serious peace negotiations and the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza population, which, according to her, is facing hunger, poverty and daily suffering.