Anniversary of the recognition of Palestine: Slovenia's significant commitment, particularly to humanitarian aid

“Today we are at a moral crossroads, as we witness the killing and starvation of civilians in Gaza and the destruction of what little is left. That is why the world must end the war in Gaza immediately, otherwise we will witness the total disappearance of the Palestinian people. The consequences of this would be irreparable and irrevocable for humanity, international legal order and small nations," said Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon on the anniversary of the recognition of the Palestinian State. Against this backdrop, the UN Security Council will vote on a draft humanitarian resolution on Gaza for the first time after November last year, on the day of the anniversary. This is a significant commitment and endeavour by Slovenia, which put forward and coordinated this proposal as the coordinator of the elected non-permanent members of the UN Security Council – E10.

Since the start of the conflict in Gaza, Slovenia has consistently pointed to the need for ensuring a safe and unobstructed humanitarian access, including humanitarian aid delivery.  The commitment to those is part of the fundamental norms of humanitarian law. As recently stated by Minister Fajon: "Our inability to act, to firmly condemn the evident violations of human rights and international law, is causing irreparable damage to the EU's reputation both in the world and at home. Gaza is experiencing the biggest humanitarian crisis in its history."

Slovenia provides tangible humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people; it has already sent multiple consignments of material aid (food, medical and sanitary equipment). These measures go beyond the symbolism of mere statements: they are concrete acts of solidarity on the ground.  In the EU and the UN, Slovenia consistently draws attention to Israel's international law violations, especially related to the vulnerability of women, children and journalists. A non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Slovenia constantly highlights the need to stop the violence in Gaza and adhere to the international humanitarian law. By condemning the genocide in Gaza, Slovenia contributed to the forming of an international consensus on the inadmissibility of Israel's acts.

In the year since the official recognition of Palestine, Slovenia has been very actively engaged in efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East, in particular as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, but also within the framework of the UN General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. Slovenia has recently been an active participant in two important proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), concerning the conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories and address the questions that are undoubtedly of crucial importance for the South Africa v. Israel case. In the proceeding to issue an advisory opinion on Israel's policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, Slovenia emphasised Israel's obligation to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, supported the finding that the Israeli occupation of Palestine is unlawful and stressed the importance of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

Slovenia was among the leading States that prepared the resolution of the UN General Assembly A/RES/79/232, requesting the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations related to the activities of the UN, other international organisations and third countries in the occupied territories. Slovenia is also taking part in the proceeding before the Court. Slovenia defends the position that it is Israel's duty to ensure the operating of the organisations (particularly UNRWA - United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) and missions which facilitate the supply of basic necessities for survival to the civilian population on the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as unhindered provision of essential services, including humanitarian and development aid.  This is a precedent, as only a few EU Member States have decided to take this step, and demonstrates that Slovenia is using mechanisms of international law.

In the proceeding before the ICJ, Slovenia (on 2 May 2025), as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, additionally highlighted the duty of Israel as the occupying force to ensure a continuous delivery of basic supplies and to implement Resolution 2720. Despite political pressure (also from Israel and the USA), Slovenia persists in its support to UNRWA, continues to fund the Agency and speaks in favour of its legitimacy.

Slovenia is an active supporter of Palestine and the peace in the Middle East, also at the EU level. On 7 May, Minister Fajon joined the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway and Spain in expressing serious concern over the reported Israel's plans for the expansion of military operations in Gaza and the long-term Israeli presence in the region. On 8 May 2025 in Warsaw, Slovenia urged the EU to immediately, clearly and in unison demand of Israel to promptly aid the civilian population, seeing that Israel is committing gross violations of international law and international humanitarian law.  Slovenia called for additional sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank, a review of the trade policy with Israel and continued efforts for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a two-state solution.

In February 2024, Slovenia asked the European Commission to review the adherence to Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement; in August 2024, Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob publicly supported the necessary revision of the Agreement. Slovenia makes the preferential trade subject to the respect for human rights. In the meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council on 24 February 2025, Slovenia and the EU reiterated their call on Israel to ensure continuous and unhindered humanitarian aid throughout Gaza.

The issue of humanitarian aid for Gaza has since been included in all European Council conclusions on the conditions in the Middle East, which have been adopted since October 2023, also due to Slovenia's efforts. In the discussions within the Council of the European Union, Slovenia consistently supports the proposal for extending EU sanctions regime: for Hamas representatives and their supporters, for the violent settlers on the West Bank (note: those included on the EU's list of sanctions for human rights violations), for politicians, officials and members of the Israeli government who actively support illegal settlements and are responsible for, or encourage, the violations of international law. Slovenia also supports the EU's embargo on the import from the illegally occupied territories, as the settlements undermine international law and hinder the possibility of the two-state solution.

After October 2023, Slovenia made the decision to authorise no export of weapons or military equipment to Israel.  Since then, the Ministry of Defence has not issued a single permit for export, which actually means a de facto embargo.

Slovenia was among the first States that initiated a discussion within the EU on the prohibition of product import from illegal settlements. This does not imply that Slovenia “evaded” its responsibility; it actively led the initiative in the international community. In relation to the advisory opinion, at the EU level, Slovenia advocates for adopting concrete measures, including a potential prohibition of the import of products from illegal settlements.