Slovenia imposes travel ban on Israeli PM Netanyahu over war crimes allegations

Slovenia on Thursday imposed a travel ban on Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing his alleged responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The move follows Slovenia’s earlier decision to bar two extremist Israeli Cabinet ministers and comes amid growing international scrutiny of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

The Government of 🇸🇮 decided to sanction Benjamin #Netanyahu, PM of the State of #Israel 🇮🇱, after previously having barred two extremist Cabinet ministers.

Mr Netanyahu is subject to proceedings for his responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Already in July… pic.twitter.com/PAlrccb2oj

— MFEA Slovenia (@MZEZ_RS) September 25, 2025

“The Government of Slovenia decided to sanction Benjamin #Netanyahu, PM of the State of #Israel, after previously having barred two extremist Cabinet ministers,” Neva Grasic, the Secretary of State at the Foreign Ministry, posted on X.

“Mr Netanyahu is subject to proceedings for his responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Already in July 2024, the @CIJ_ICJ established that several Israeli policies and practices violate international humanitarian law & human rights law,” Grasic added.

Grasic said the decision is not directed at the people of Israel, but rather serves as a clear signal that Slovenia expects the State of Israel to uphold international humanitarian law (IHL) and comply with rulings from international judicial bodies.

“In doing so, Slovenia reaffirms its commitment to international peace and the universal values of human rights as part of its principled and consistent foreign policy,” Grasic added.

EU member Slovenia imposed an arms embargo on Israel in August and introduced a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

The small Alpine nation has been among a group of European countries consistently calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and greater humanitarian access to the besieged enclave.

In July, Slovenia imposed an arms embargo on Israel — banning the export, import, and transit of weapons — just two weeks after declaring Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata for what it described as “genocidal statements” and incitement to violence against Palestinians.

The following month, in August, the Slovenian government introduced a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories and approved an additional humanitarian aid package for Palestinians in Gaza.

With inputs from agencies