Slovenian Government Endorses Motion to Recognise Palestinian State, Asks Parliament to Do the Same

Ljubljana: Slovenia's government on Thursday endorsed a motion to recognise a Palestinian state and asked parliament to do same. Prime Minister Robert Golob said that his government sent recognition proposal to parliament, which could convene as early as next week. “All world should act in direction of peace,” Golob said after government session. “ way to achieve peace is a two-state solution.”

“ decision is not directed against anyone, not even Israel, but it is a message of peace,” he ded as Palestinian flag was displayed on government hequarters in Ljubljana, Slovenian capital.

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he hoped Slovenian parliament would reject government decision.

“ Slovenian government's decision to recommend that Slovenian Parliament recognise a Palestinian state rewards Hamas for murder, rape, mutilation of bodies, beheing of babies, and strengns Iranian axis of evil while damaging close friendship between Slovenian and Israeli people,” he said.

Parliamentary approval is necessary for move to take effect. Golob's ruling liberal coalition has a comfortable majority in 90-member assembly and vote should be a formality.

decision by Slovenia's government comes just two days after Spain, Norway and Ireland recognised a Palestinian state, a move that was condemned by Israel.

With its move, Slovenia is set to become 10th member of 27-nation European Union to officially recognise a Palestinian state. Norway isn't an EU member, but its foreign policy is usually aligned with bloc.

Slovenia first began recognition process in early May, but said it would wait until situation in ongoing Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza improved.

Golob said this week that he was expediting process in reaction to Israel's latest attacks on Rafah, which have caused more than 1 million Palestinians to flee.

More than 140 countries recognise a Palestinian state — more than two-thirds of United Nations.

move to recognise a Palestinian state has caused relations between EU and Israel to nosedive. Spain and Ireland are pushing for EU to take measures against Israel for its continued attacks on Rafah in sourn Gaza.

Israel launched assault following October 7 Hamas-led attack in which militants stormed across Gaza border into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage.

Israel’s air and land attacks have since killed 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians.