The Slovenian government approved a motion to recognize an independent Palestinian state, according to Prime Minister Robert Golob. The decision is awaiting approval from the parliament, a vote that likely will be a formality due to Golob’s party majority.
“Today the government has decided to recognize Palestine as an independent and sovereign state,” said Golob during a news conference in Ljubljana. He also called for the release of hostages and the end of hostility between Israel and Hamas.
“This is the message of peace,” he said.
Writing on X, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Slovenia’s move “rewards Hamas for murder,” and he urged the Slovenian parliament to reject the recommendation.
While Slovenia originally initiated the process of recognition in early May, the country said it was waiting for the conflict in Gaza to improve. Golob has expedited the process after the latest attacks on Rafah by Israel that have caused more than 1 million Palestinians to flee the area.
The Slovenian government has also raised a Palestinian flag on its building in Ljubljana. The new flag stands with the flags of Slovenia and the EU.
Earlier this week, Spain, Ireland, and Norway all formally recognized a Palestinian state, which was followed by an angry reaction from Israel. Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria had earlier recognized a Palestinian state. Malta, Britain and Australia may follow. Out of 27 EU countries, Slovenia would be the 10th country to recognize a Palestinian state.
On Tuesday, the parliament in Denmark rejected recognizing a Palestinian state. Both Germany and the United States have argued that a two-state solution to the matter is possible through dialogue, rejecting a unilateral approach. France has said that now is not the time to recognize a Palestinian state.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7 with a Hamas terror attack on Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 hostages were captured, according to Israeli officials. Israel’s counteroffensive has killed over 36,100 Palestinians, including civilians and combatants, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.
