Slovenia Lifts Entry Ban on Netanyahu and Arms Embargo Against Israel

Slovenia's new conservative government, led by Prime Minister Janez Janša, on Thursday lifted several restrictions imposed by the previous administration against Israel. Among the rescinded measures are the arms embargo and the entry ban on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as two of his cabinet ministers – National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. These sanctions were introduced last year under former liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob in response to Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip.

The new government stated that these decisions would restore conditions for normal political dialogue with Israel. Regarding the arms embargo, the government considered the previous decree unnecessary given existing national defense laws and EU arms export criteria. The ban on importing goods from Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank was also lifted.

Last week, Israel announced it would open an embassy in Slovenia, expressing hope for a new chapter in relations. The new Slovenian government has also removed the Palestinian flag that had been displayed on the government building since 2024, when Slovenia recognized Palestinian statehood. Relations between the two countries had deteriorated under Golob's government, which labeled Israel's operation in Gaza as genocide.