LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — Slovenia said on Thursday that it was banning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from entering the European Union country to underscore its defense of international law.
The decision was linked to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against the prime minister, Foreign Ministry official Neva Grasic said, according to the official STA news agency.
The EU nation of some 2 million people, which recognized a Palestinian state last year, has been a vocal critic of Israeli actions in Gaza and Thursday’s move against Netanyahu was apparently designed to underscore the country’s policies.
Slovenia had already barred far-right politicians National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country and imposed an arms embargo on Israel.
“All countries that are bound by the international court, including Slovenia, must not recognize the situation resulting from Israel’s illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, and must not offer any support in maintaining this situation,” she added.
The Slovenian government said on X that the decision sends “a clear message to the state of Israel that Slovenia expects consistent respect for the decisions of international courts and international humanitarian law.”
Slovenia Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, addresses the High-Level Security Council on Palestinians and Israel during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, September 23, 2025. (AP/Angelina Katsanis)
By doing so, Slovenia “confirms its commitment to international law, universal values of human rights and a principled and consistent foreign policy,” the government added.
The path of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s flight to New York on Thursday avoided the airspace of all countries except Italy and Greece, despite the longer journey this entailed in an apparent effort to avoid problems related to the ICC’s warrants.
Many countries have said that, pursuant to the ICC arrest, issued last year over alleged war crimes, which Israel denies, they would arrest Netanyahu if he were present on their soil. Others have averred that the Israeli leader will still be welcome in their countries.
