Slovenia Imposes Ban on Imports from Territories Occupied by Israel

SadaNews - The government of Slovenia announced that it has imposed a ban on the import of goods produced in Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, and it has also approved an additional aid package for Palestinians in Gaza.

It confirmed in a statement released today, Wednesday, on the government's website that it "has today prohibited the import of goods originating from settlements in the occupied territories, as well as circumventing the restrictions imposed on these imports."

The government also issued instructions to the relevant ministries to consider banning the export of goods from Slovenia intended for these areas occupied by Israel.

Prime Minister Robert Golob stated, in a statement reported by the Slovenian news agency, that "the actions of the Israeli government, including the construction of illegal settlements, the confiscation and forced displacement of Palestinian residents, and the destruction of their homes, constitute serious and repeated violations of international humanitarian law."

He added, "These actions not only threaten the lives and dignity of the Palestinian residents but also threaten the foundations of the international order."

Slovenia announced on July 31 that it would prohibit all trade exchanges related to arms with Israel due to the aggression on the Gaza Strip, a step it described as the first of its kind for a country in the European Union.

The Slovenian government indicated that it had adopted a decision, initiated by Prime Minister Robert Golob, to ban the export and transit of arms and military equipment from the Republic of Slovenia to Israel or through it, as well as imports from Israel to the Republic of Slovenia.

The statement added: "This decision comes in implementation of Golob's statements, which he has repeatedly declared - most recently on the sidelines of the European Council summit in June - that if the European Union could not take concrete action by mid-July, Slovenia would act independently."

It continued: "Due to internal disagreements and the lack of unity, the European Union is currently unable to fulfill this role."

The statement noted that "people in Gaza are dying because humanitarian aid is systematically being denied to them. They are dying under the rubble, without access to clean drinking water, food, or basic healthcare. This is a complete obstruction of humanitarian assistance and a deliberate hindrance to providing the minimum conditions for survival. In such circumstances, it is the duty of every responsible country to take action, even if it is preemptive. "

The statement reinforced that "Slovenia firmly and principled defends the respect for international law and the protection of human rights. For this reason, the government of Dr. Robert Golob will prepare additional national measures in the coming weeks against the current Israeli government, whose actions constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law."