As American envoys work to salvage Gaza ceasefire talks, Slovenia announced it would become the first European country to impose a complete arms embargo on Israel.
Prime Minister Robert Golob revealed the decision on Thursday after a government session, declaring Slovenia would ban all exports, imports and transit of weapons to and from Israel.
“Slovenia is the first European country to ban the import, export and transit of weapons to and from Israel,” said Golob. “It is the duty of every responsible state to take action, even if it means taking a step before others. Palestinians are dying because humanitarian aid is systematically denied them.”
However, Israeli officials quickly dismissed the move as meaningless theater.
“There were no security purchases in Slovenia. We don’t buy a pin from them. They simply decided on an embargo for the media and because they can, but it has no significance,” an unnamed Israeli official told Ynet.
Nevertheless, the move marks Slovenia’s second major diplomatic slap at Israel within two weeks. On July 17, the Central European nation declared Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata, accusing them of making “genocidal statements” and “inciting violence” against Arabs.
Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon noted at the time that banning the Israeli ministers was “the first measure of this nature” taken by a European Union member state. Slovenia recognized a Palestinian state in June 2024 and has since repeatedly demanded a ceasefire in Gaza while pushing for increased aid deliveries to the strip.
Meanwhile, Israel is facing pressure over declarations by France, Britain and Canada suggesting they may recognize a Palestinian state, calling such moves a “reward for Hamas” following its October 7, 2023 massacre. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem Thursday, working to address the mounting humanitarian crisis and revive stalled Gaza truce negotiations.
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