Slovenia bans imports from Israeli settlements in occupied territories after arms embargo from Israel

Ljubljana – After Slovenia became the first European country to ban the import, export, and transit of weapons to and from Israel at the end of July, with certain exceptions, the government of Prime Minister Robert Golob today adopted a ban on the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. According to the Prime Minister’s cabinet, the decision follows “the announcements of the Prime Minister, who has repeatedly made it clear, most recently on the sidelines of the June European Council summit, that Slovenia will act independently if the EU is unable to adopt concrete measures by mid-July.”

“The European Union is currently unable to fulfill this task due to internal disagreements and lack of unity,” the Prime Minister’s cabinet stated. Slovenia is among the EU member states calling for more decisive action against Israel for violating international law.

When the ban on arms trade with Israel was adopted in July, Golob’s cabinet stated that “we are witnessing a complete obstruction of humanitarian access in Gaza and a conscious prevention of the basic conditions for survival.” “In such circumstances, it is the duty of every responsible state to act, even if it means taking a step ahead of others.”

The actions of Israel, as stated in the cabinet, not only endanger the lives and dignity of the Palestinian population but also undermine the foundations of the international order. “As a responsible member of the international community, Slovenia cannot and must not be part of a chain that enables or overlooks such practices. The measures adopted represent a clear reaction to the policy of the Israeli government, which undermines the possibilities for lasting peace and a two-state solution,” the statement for the public reads today.

The import of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is minimal and amounts to a few thousand euros. (August 6)