Slovenia’s government on Thursday endorsed a motion to recognize a Palestinian state and asked the parliament to do the same. The decision by Slovenia’s government comes just two days after Spain, Norway and Ireland recognized a Palestinian state, a move that was condemned by Israel. Prime Minister Robert Golob said that his government sent the recognition proposal to parliament, which could convene as early as next week.
Quick Read
- Slovenia moves to recognize a Palestinian state as Israel fights in Rafah
- Slovenia’s government endorsed a motion on Thursday to recognize a Palestinian state and requested parliamentary approval.
- This decision follows similar recognitions by Spain, Norway, and Ireland earlier in the week, actions that were condemned by Israel.
- Prime Minister Robert Golob emphasized that the move is aimed at promoting peace through a two-state solution and is not directed against Israel.
- The motion, supported by Golob’s ruling liberal coalition, is expected to pass easily in the 90-member parliament.
- Slovenia will become the 10th EU member state to officially recognize a Palestinian state, with more than 140 countries worldwide having already done so.
- The decision was expedited in response to recent Israeli attacks on Rafah, which have displaced over 1 million Palestinians.
- Heavy fighting continues in Rafah as Israel expands its offensive in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions.
- Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 53 deaths and 357 injuries from Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours, with over 36,000 Palestinians killed since the war began, according to the ministry.
- The conflict began after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting about 250. Israel states that around 100 hostages remain in Gaza.
The Associated Press has the story:
Slovenia moves to recognize a Palestinian state as Israel fights in Rafah
Newslooks- LJUBLJANA, Slovenia – (AP)
Slovenia’s government endorsed a motion Thursday to recognize a Palestinian state and asked the parliament to do the same. It comes just two days after Spain, Norway and Ireland recognized a Palestinian state, a move that was condemned by Israel.
The decision by Slovenia’s government comes just two days after Spain, Norway and Ireland recognized a Palestinian state, a move that was condemned by Israel.
Prime Minister Robert Golob said that his government sent the recognition proposal to parliament, which could convene as early as next week.
“All the world should act in the direction of peace,” Golob said after the government session. “The way to achieve peace is a two-state solution.”
“The decision is not directed against anyone, not even Israel, but that it is a message of peace,” he added as the Palestinian flag was displayed on the government headquarters in Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital.
Parliamentary approval is necessary for the move to take effect. Golob’s ruling liberal coalition has a comfortable majority in the 90-member assembly and the vote should be a formality.
With its move, Slovenia is set to become the 10th member of the 27-nation European Union to officially recognize a Palestinian state. Norway isn’t an EU member, but its foreign policy is usually aligned with the bloc.
Slovenia first began the recognition process in early May, but said it would wait until the situation in the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza improved.
Golob said this week that he was expediting the process in reaction to Israel’s latest attacks on Rafah, which have caused more than 1 million Palestinians to flee.
More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state — more than two-thirds of the United Nations.
In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians in the border city of Rafah have reported heavy fighting in recent days as Israel’s military widens its offensive in the south, seizing control of the entire length of Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Beyond Rafah, Israeli forces were still battling militants in parts of Gaza that the military said it wrested control of months ago — potential signs of a low-level insurgency that could keep Israeli troops engaged in the territory.
Fighting in Rafah has spurred more than 1 million Palestinians to flee, most of whom had already been displaced earlier in the war. They now seek refuge in makeshift tent camps and other war-ravaged areas, where they lack shelter, food, water and other essentials for survival, the U.N. says.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said Thursday that 53 people killed by Israeli strikes had been brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours, as well as 357 wounded people.
Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians.
Israel launched its war in Gaza after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killed some 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducted about 250. Israel says around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 30 more.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.
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