The Slovenian government announced tonight that it will ban all arms trade with Israel due to the war in the Gaza Strip, deeming the European Union (EU) "incapable of taking" such a step.
"Slovenia is the first European country to ban the import, export and transit of weapons to and from Israel," the statement said.
The Slovenian government added that it is acting independently because, in its opinion, the EU is "not capable of taking concrete measures" as it has requested.
"People are dying because they are systematically denied humanitarian aid" in the Gaza Strip and "it is the duty of every responsible state to take action, even if it means being ahead of others," said a statement from the government of Slovenia, which recognized the state of Palestine in June 2024.
The Slovenian government added that it has not issued licenses for the export of weapons and other military equipment to Israel since October 2023 due to the conflict in the Palestinian territories.
The Slovenian government announced on July 17 that it had initiated measures to ban two far-right Israeli ministers from entering the country, the first such move in an EU country.
Israeli Ministers of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Bezalel Smotrich, key partners in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, have been declared persona non grata for "genocidal statements, incitement to extreme violence and serious violations of the human rights of Palestinians," the statement said.
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