Slovenia on Thursday declared Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata, barring the two far-right politicians from entering the country and subjecting them to targeted sanctions. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said the decision was prompted by the ministers’ public statements, which Ljubljana described as encouraging genocide and “grave violations of Palestinians’ human rights.” She added that the measure is intended to pressure the Israeli government “to improve the intolerable conditions in Gaza and end the suffering of civilians.” The move marks the first time a member state of the European Union has imposed such restrictions on sitting Israeli cabinet members. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, key partners in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, have drawn repeated international criticism for their hard-line positions toward Palestinians during Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.