With the decision, Slovenia became the sixth country in the Balkans and the ninth country within the European Union to do so. The move coincides with last week’s announcements by Spain, Norway, and Ireland to also recognize Palestine.
Mašina previously spoke with Asta Vrečko, Slovenia’s Minister of Culture and the coordinator for the Levica political party, about the decision. She remarked, “Given the genocide that is happening in Gaza and all the other violations of international law that Israel has committed throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, the international community cannot and must not watch silently.”
The Levica party in Slovenia has long held recognition of Palestine as a key political principle. Since their election to parliament, they have pushed for the state of Slovenia to adopt this policy and break with the status quo. In light of the now very obvious attempts by Israel to wipe Palestine off the map, Levica was able to show others in the Slovenian government how imperative it is that they recognize a Palestinian state.
These recent recognitions of Palestine contribute to the increasing international isolation of Israel, which has also been demonstrated by the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) request for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. Recognition will expand the diplomatic capabilities of a Palestinian state, which in this case refers to the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.
A.M.
