Budapest, Sept 27, (dpa/GNA) – Slovenia has declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu persona non grata, and banned him from the country, which is an EU and NATO member.
The decision was made by the government in Ljubljana, the Slovenian state news agency STA reported on Thursday, citing the State Secretary in the Foreign Ministry, Neva Grašic.
Slovenia was the first EU country to declare two far-right Israeli government member Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata in July this year.
“The public is aware that he (Netanyahu) is facing proceedings for war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Grašic said. She added that the International Court of Justice (IJC) found in July last year that “several Israeli policies and practices, violate both international humanitarian law and human rights.”
She wrote on X that with the decision to ban Netanyahu from entering the country, “the government is sending a clear message to the State of Israel that Slovenia expects consistent respect for the decisions of international courts and international humanitarian law.”
She said the move was not directed against Israeli citizens.
“The most recent decision is not aimed against the people of Israel but, rather, sends a clear message to the State of Israel that #Slovenia expects consistent implementation of decisions, issued by international tribunals and respect of #IHL,” or international humanitarian law.
Slovenia has been one of the most consistent critics of Netanyahu’s Gaza policy since the outbreak of the latest conflict, and is committed to the Palestinian cause.
GNA