سلوفينيا تفتح النار.. بن غفير وسموتريتش ممنوعان من دخول دولة أوروبية

In an unprecedented move within the European Union, the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it has adopted a decision classifying Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as "undesirable persons" and prohibiting them from entering its territory. This decision was announced by Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon following a meeting of the Slovenian government, aimed at pressuring the Israeli government to stop the "unbearable suffering" in the Gaza Strip and address human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Slovenian government accused the two ministers, who belong to the far-right and are considered among the closest allies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of inciting "severe violence and serious violations of Palestinian rights" through their statements, which were described as "genocidal." Fajon noted that this action came after EU foreign ministers failed to reach a consensus on taking joint action against Israel during a meeting in Brussels last Tuesday, prompting Slovenia to take this step unilaterally.

Fajon confirmed in a press conference that this decision is "the first of its kind in the European Union," indicating that it aims to send a strong message to Israel regarding the necessity of adhering to international law. She added: "The statements by Ben Gvir and Smotrich that incite violence and call for ethnic cleansing are unacceptable and must not go unpunished."

No immediate reaction was issued from the Israeli government, which has been accustomed to rejecting accusations of genocide in Gaza, asserting that it acts in self-defense following the October 7, 2023, attack led by Hamas. However, the Slovenian decision has sparked mixed reactions, with solidarity organizations for Palestine such as the "Slovenian-Palestinian Solidarity Network" welcoming it as "a long-awaited moral step," while it is expected to provoke sharp criticism from the Israeli right.

Slovenia, a member of the European Union since 2004, is among the countries that have taken supportive stances on the Palestinian cause, having announced in June 2024 the official recognition of the State of Palestine, a move followed by other European countries such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway. Its recent decision comes as part of its policy to pressure Israel to stop human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Slovenian decision is an important symbolic step that may encourage other European countries to take similar actions, especially in light of the increasing international pressure on Israel due to the war in Gaza and the settlement expansion in the West Bank. It also highlights the division within the European Union regarding how to deal with Israel, as countries like Germany and Hungary remain strongly supportive of Israel, while other countries adopt more critical positions.