Ljubljana – Following Slovenia’s status as the first European nation to prohibit the import, export, and transit of weapons to and from Israel at the end of July, with some exceptions, Prime Minister Robert Golob’s government has now enacted a ban on importing goods from Israeli settlements located in the occupied Palestinian territories. This decision, according to the Prime Minister’s office, aligns with Golob’s previous statements, notably during the June European Council summit, emphasizing Slovenia’s willingness to take independent action if the EU failed to implement concrete measures by mid-July.
The Prime Minister’s office noted that the European Union is currently hampered by internal divisions and a lack of consensus on this matter. Slovenia is among EU member states advocating for stronger responses to Israel’s violations of international law.
When the arms trade ban with Israel was initiated in July, Golob’s cabinet remarked on the severe obstruction of humanitarian access in Gaza and the intentional hindrance of essential living conditions. “In such circumstances, responsible states must take action, even if it entails leading the way independently,” they stated.
The cabinet emphasized that Israel’s actions jeopardize the lives and dignity of Palestinians, undermining the international order’s stability. “As a responsible global actor, Slovenia cannot and must not be complicit in or ignore such practices. These measures are a direct response to the Israeli government’s policies that jeopardize the prospects for lasting peace and a two-state solution,” the public statement declared today.
The import of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is minimal, totaling only a few thousand euros. (August 6)
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