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Slovenian President Blasts Government Over EU Israel Veto
(MENAFN) Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar publicly rebuked her own government Wednesday over its decision to block a joint European Union statement condemning Israel's plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The Slovenian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Ljubljana had blocked the declaration, saying it "would not bring added value at this moment." Because EU foreign policy statements of this kind require unanimous approval from all 27 member states, Slovenia's objection was enough to sink it.
Pirc Musar pushed back, calling for a clear, unified European stance and arguing Slovenia should have backed the joint statement opposing further Israeli settlement expansion in Palestinian territory.
"International law is not a matter of political choice, and there must be no double standards in its respect. It applies equally to everyone," she said in a statement.
She added: "Slovenia, from its own historical experience, understands well the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and therefore must be particularly consistent in defending them. When these principles are violated, Slovenia must be among the countries that clearly defend them."
The veto also drew fire from opposition parties, including the Freedom Movement, the Social Democrats (SD) and The Left (Levica), who accused the government of prioritizing Israel's interests over Slovenia's own and warned the decision could tarnish the country's standing internationally.
The Freedom Movement issued a sharp statement, saying the decision "destroys the international reputation of our country and, above all, raises the question of what else Prime Minister Janez Jansa will be forced and willing to do for his friend (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu, and how much this settling of scores will cost Slovenia."
The party went further, alleging that Jansa "came to power with the help of Israeli paraintelligence agents" and calling Slovenia's veto "the crowning proof" that Israeli interests and influence had brought him into office.
The occupied West Bank has seen escalating violence from Israeli settlers and expanded Israeli military operations since Israel's war in Gaza began in October 2023, accompanied by growing settlement construction and tightening restrictions on Palestinian movement.
Israeli authorities have greenlit 18 new illegal settlement "influence areas" in the West Bank, laying the groundwork for further expansion, the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said Tuesday.
The Slovenian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Ljubljana had blocked the declaration, saying it "would not bring added value at this moment." Because EU foreign policy statements of this kind require unanimous approval from all 27 member states, Slovenia's objection was enough to sink it.
Pirc Musar pushed back, calling for a clear, unified European stance and arguing Slovenia should have backed the joint statement opposing further Israeli settlement expansion in Palestinian territory.
"International law is not a matter of political choice, and there must be no double standards in its respect. It applies equally to everyone," she said in a statement.
She added: "Slovenia, from its own historical experience, understands well the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and therefore must be particularly consistent in defending them. When these principles are violated, Slovenia must be among the countries that clearly defend them."
The veto also drew fire from opposition parties, including the Freedom Movement, the Social Democrats (SD) and The Left (Levica), who accused the government of prioritizing Israel's interests over Slovenia's own and warned the decision could tarnish the country's standing internationally.
The Freedom Movement issued a sharp statement, saying the decision "destroys the international reputation of our country and, above all, raises the question of what else Prime Minister Janez Jansa will be forced and willing to do for his friend (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu, and how much this settling of scores will cost Slovenia."
The party went further, alleging that Jansa "came to power with the help of Israeli paraintelligence agents" and calling Slovenia's veto "the crowning proof" that Israeli interests and influence had brought him into office.
The occupied West Bank has seen escalating violence from Israeli settlers and expanded Israeli military operations since Israel's war in Gaza began in October 2023, accompanied by growing settlement construction and tightening restrictions on Palestinian movement.
Israeli authorities have greenlit 18 new illegal settlement "influence areas" in the West Bank, laying the groundwork for further expansion, the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said Tuesday.
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