Slovenia sanctions Israel's Netanyahu in an EU first
Slovenia on Thursday imposed a travel ban on Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the first such measure by a European Union member.
Netanyahu was issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2024, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Gaza since October 2023.
Slovenia's foreign ministry announced the sanctions against Netanyahu on Thursday citing the ICC arrest warrant and the July 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) affirming the illegality of Israel's occupation and the obligations of third states not to recognise it.
"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 internaitonal humanitarian law," the statement read.
Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar on Tuesday addressed the UN General Assembly, urging states to take action to stop the genocide in Gaza.
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“We should do the right thing. We did not stop the Holocaust, we did not stop the genocide in Rwanda, we did not stop the genocide in Srebrenica. We must stop the genocide in Gaza. There are no excuses anymore. None,” she said.
Unprecedented international rebuke
A UN General Assembly resolution on 18 September last year gave third states a one-year deadline to uphold the ICJ opinion, including by imposing sanctions, which include travel bans and asset freezes, on individuals and entities involved in maintaining Israel’s unlawful presence, including those linked to settler violence.
In August, Slovenia was the first EU country to impose an arms embargo on Israel, following its earlier move to declare two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, persona non grata, accusing them of making "genocidal statements" against Palestinians.
Spain, on 8 September, announced nine measures against Israel, including a full arms embargo and the banning of the entry of Israeli officials suspected of involvement in the genocide.
As part of the measures, it has banned Ben Gvir and Smotrich from travel, but has yet to sanction Netanyahu.
In June 2024, Slovenia followed Norway, Spain and Ireland in recognising Palestine as an independent state and has been among the most vocal European nations in its criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, with Musar describing the onslaught as a genocide.
Slovenia's move comes at a time of unprecedented international rebuke of Israel's conduct, including a determination by a UN commission that its military offensive in Gaza is a genocide, and a wave of recognitions of Palestinian statehood by Israel's western allies, including France, the UK, and Canada.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a proposal last week to suspend free trade with Israel and sanction Ben Gvir and Smotrich, critising the "horrific events" in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the ongoing 80th session of the UN General Assembly has been dominated by damning speeches by world leaders criticising Israel for its genocide in Gaza and relentless expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank in defiance of international law. Netanyahu is due to deliver his speech on Friday.
Netanyahu's flight en route to the US on Thursday avoided most EU airspace for the first time, reportedly over fears that EU member states may arrest and surrender him to the ICC - a legal obligation under international law to enforce the ICC arrest warrant.
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