Slovenia’s government approves recognition of a Palestinian state

Today, Thursday, the government of Slovenia officially announced its approval of the proposal to recognise the “Palestinian state,” Prime Minister Robert Golub said that his government had sent the recognition proposal to Parliament, which may convene early next week. He continued, The whole world must take action.

In response to Slovenia’s announcement, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said, “The Slovenian government’s decision to recognise the Palestinian state rewards Hamas for murders and rape and strengthens the Iranian axis. He continued, I hope the Slovenian parliament will reject the recommendation to recognise the Palestinian state.

Golub stressed that “the path to achieving peace is the two-state solution” and added, “The decision is not directed against anyone, not even Israel, but it is a message of peace.” Spain, Ireland, and Norway officially recognised the “Palestinian state” last Tuesday, as announced by their governments.

The official Spanish announcement came during the government meeting on Tuesday morning. The Spanish government spokeswoman said that the latter officially adopted a decree recognising the “Palestinian state” Tuesday afternoon, as the government spokeswoman announced. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a televised speech Tuesday morning that “Spain recognises the Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital,” noting that “we will not recognise any changes to the 1967 borders unless they are agreed upon by all parties,” stressing that “Recognition of Palestine is not against anyone. Israel is a friendly country. 

Recognition is against Hamas and our most robust expression against terrorism. We must put an end to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, including a ceasefire and the release of the kidnapped. We will support the Palestinian Authority in reforms. 

In a press conference in Ljubljana, Robert Golub, the Prime Minister of Slovenia, said that today, the government decided to recognize the independent and sovereign State of Palestine. The European Union member state’s parliament must also approve the government’s decision in the coming days.

The move comes as part of a broader campaign coordinated by countries to pressure Israel to end the conflict in Gaza. Golub also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the release of all hostages.

The Slovenian government raised the Palestinian flag alongside the flags of Slovenia and the European Union in front of its headquarters in central Ljubljana.

Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognised the Palestinian state on May 28, sparking an angry response from Israel.

Among the 27 EU members, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria already recognise Palestinian statehood. Malta said it may take the same step soon. Britain and Australia said they were also considering recognition, but France said the time was different now.

Germany joined the United States, Israel’s strongest ally, in rejecting any unilateral approach, insisting that a two-state solution can only be achieved through dialogue. On Tuesday, the Danish Parliament rejected a draft law to recognise the Palestinian state.

Norway, which chairs the group of international donors to the Palestinians, until recently adopted the American position, but it has lost confidence in the success of this strategy.