Slovenia is set to join a growing list of nations that have recognized a Palestinian state over the course of the present Israel-Gaza war after the Slovenian government approved a motion to recognize Palestine. The move is not yet official, pending further approval, but has been condemned by Israel.
Joint Recognition
“Today the government has decided to recognise Palestine as an independent and sovereign state” -Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob
Now that the motion for the recognition of Palestine has been approved by the Slovenian government, it must be approved by the nation’s parliament before it becomes official. The vote for this approval, or denial, is set to take place on Tuesday, June 4th.
After this approval, Slovenia will join Ireland, Spain, and Norway, who offered their own recognition last week, which just became official two days ago on May 28th.
The Palestinian flag flew alongside the Slovenian and European Union flag outside the Slovenian government building in downtown Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital.
In his statement on the recognition, Prime Minister Golob also urged for an immediate ceasefire, and the release of all Israeli hostages still held within Gaza.
The four nations recognition of Palestine comes after an earlier promise made by Ireland, Spain, Norway, Slovenia, and Malta in March to do so. The five had made a joint statement calling for a wider movement to recognize Palestine, and urged other nations, particularly EU member states, to do the same.
With Ireland, Spain, and Norway having followed through, and Slovenia being likely to do so on Tuesday, presuming the approval by parliament, this leaves Malta as the last one out. While they are also likely to issue a recognition, there has been no established timeline for them to do so, though they have stated they will follow suit soon.
The growing recognition of Palestine, particularly by western countries, represents a departure by many from the US supported idea for a two state solution. The US, while supporting a two state solution, believes that this should come only from extensive negotiations and dialogue on the matter, rather than just an outright recognition of Palestine.
However, this viewpoint is being dropped by a number of nations who believe that this approach is unlikely to work, especially with the present Israeli administration under Benjamin Netanyahu, who rejects the creation of a Palestinian state altogether. Norway was one such nation who had previously expressed support for the US approach.
Israeli Condemnation
Like the previous recognitions, Israel has issued condemnations towards the Slovenian government for approving the recognition of Palestine.
Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel Katz, echoed his previous statements and said that the recognition of a Palestinian state “rewards Hamas for murder, rape, mutilation of bodies, beheading of babies, and strengthens the Iranian axis of evil.” He further urged the Slovenian parliament, who’s approval will make the recognition official, to reject the government’s motion.
The Slovenian government's decision to recommend that the Slovenian Parliament recognize a Palestinian state rewards Hamas for murder, rape, mutilation of bodies, beheading of babies, and strengthens the Iranian axis of evil while damaging the close friendship between the…
— ????? ?”? Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 30, 2024
Notably, the claim about the “beheading of babies” was disinformation circulated soon after Hamas’ attack upon Israel on October 7th, which killed almost 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The claim began circulating, including through official Israeli government channels and Israeli media. Eventually the claim had been debunked, but it still, evidently, is present. The claim has since been refuted by the Israeli government itself.
Minister Katz, in regards to the recognitions by Ireland, Spain, and Norway, had stated the recognition only served to “send a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays,” and additionally referred to it as a “reward” for Hamas and Iran, as he did in his condemnation of Slovenia’s likely recognition.
In response to the recognition by Ireland, Spain, and Norway, Minister Katz ordered the return of Israel’s ambassadors to the three nations. If Slovenia’s parliament approves the recognition on Tuesday, they are likely to do the same for their ambassador to Slovenia.