By In a historic move, Slovenia has joined a growing list of European countries, including Spain, Ireland, and Norway, in formally recognizing Palestinian statehood. The decision came after the Slovenian parliament approved the motion with a majority vote on Tuesday, further solidifying the global support for the Palestinian cause.
The vote, which took place during an extraordinary parliament session, saw 52 votes in favor and zero against, as reported by Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenija. The recognition comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestine, particularly in the wake of Israel’s recent military offensive in Gaza.
Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon celebrated the decision on social media, stating, “Today is a historic day! The National Assembly of Slovenia has officially recognized Palestine, making Slovenia the 147th country to do so. This recognition is an expression of our commitment to peace and justice. Slovenia is on the right side of history, contributing to the two-state solution for lasting peace.”
The recognition of Palestinian statehood by Slovenia and other European nations is expected to bolster the Palestinian cause on a global scale. However, it may also strain relations with Israel, which has been facing increasing criticism for its actions in Gaza.
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of at least 36,550 Palestinians and injured another 82,959 since the start of the military offensive on October 7. The offensive was launched after the militant group Hamas, which governs Gaza, killed at least 1,200 people and abducted more than 250 others.
Earlier this month, a panel of independent UN experts condemned “the continued and systematic onslaught of violence committed against Palestinians in Gaza.” The agency has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages taken by Hamas.
Slovenia’s foreign minister emphasized that the country believes a two-state solution is the only path to lasting peace in the Middle East. She added that Slovenia “will tirelessly continue to work on the security of both nations, Palestinians and Israelis.”
The two-state solution, which has been the goal of the international community for decades, is seen by many nations as the only way to resolve the long-running conflict between Israel and Palestine. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously endorsed the idea under pressure from the Obama administration, he has recently stated that recognizing a Palestinian state post-October 7 would be a “reward for terror.”
The vast majority of the population in Gaza are descendants of 700,000 Palestinians who were displaced during the 1948-49 war, known as al-Nakba or “the catastrophe,” in what is now Israel.
As more European nations formally recognize Palestinian statehood, the international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict and the establishment of a viable two-state solution.
