Ljubljana, August 1, 2025 – Slovenia has become the first European Union country to impose a complete ban on the import, export, and transit of weapons to and from Israel, citing the ongoing war in Gaza. The decision, announced by Prime Minister Robert Golob following a government session on Thursday, marks a significant step in Slovenia’s response to the conflict, which has killed over 60,000 Palestinians and drawn accusations of genocide from human rights groups and United Nations experts.
The Slovenian government stated it was acting “independently” due to the EU’s failure to adopt unified measures amid internal disagreements. “Slovenia is the first European country to ban the import, export, and transit of weapons to and from Israel,” the government said, emphasizing its duty to act when “people are dying because humanitarian aid is systematically denied them.” The statement noted that no permits for military exports to Israel have been issued since October 2023 due to the Gaza conflict.
The arms embargo follows Slovenia’s July decision to declare two far-right Israeli ministers persona non grata, accusing them of inciting “extreme violence and serious violations of the human rights of Palestinians” with “genocidal statements.” In June 2024, Slovenia’s parliament recognized Palestinian statehood, joining Ireland, Norway, and Spain in a move partly driven by condemnation of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has been ongoing for nearly 22 months.
Last week, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada signaled potential recognition of Palestinian statehood, prompting Israel to denounce the moves as “rewarding” Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attack. The United States, a staunch ally of Israel, has echoed this stance, with President Donald Trump warning against recognizing Palestinian statehood.
Slovenia’s actions come amid growing international scrutiny of Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which has left millions at risk of starvation. South Africa and others have filed cases at the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide by Israel in the territory.
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