Slovenia to recognize Palestinian state amid Israel-Rafah conflict

The Slovenian government has approved a motion to recognize Palestine as a state and has requested that the parliament also approve this recognition.

This decision comes shortly after Spain, Norway, and Ireland recognized Palestine, a move that Israel condemned.

Prime Minister Robert Golob announced that the recognition proposal was sent to parliament, which could consider it as early as next week. “The entire world should pursue peace,” Golob stated after the government meeting. “The path to peace is through a two-state solution.”

Golob emphasized that the decision is not intended to oppose anyone, including Israel, but to convey a message of peace. During his announcement, the Palestinian flag was displayed on the government headquarters in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital.

The motion requires parliamentary approval to take effect. Golob’s ruling liberal coalition has a strong majority in the 90-member assembly, making the vote likely to pass.

If approved, Slovenia will become the 10th member of the 27-nation European Union to officially recognize Palestine. Norway, not an EU member, typically aligns its foreign policy with the bloc.

Slovenia initiated the recognition process in early May but decided to wait until the situation in the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza improved.

Golob expedited the process this week in response to recent Israeli attacks on Rafah, which have displaced over a million Palestinians.

Currently, more than 140 countries, representing over two-thirds of the United Nations, recognize Palestine as a state.