Opinion
30 May 24

Slovenia set to recognise an independent Palestinian state

Palestine flag in Dublin City Hall. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

The Slovene PM said the decision is a "message of peace."

Slovenia could follow in the footsteps of Ireland, Spain and Norway by recognising an independent Palestinian state.

"Today the government has decided to recognise Palestine as an independent and sovereign state," said Prime Minister Robert Golob at a news conference in the capital Ljubljana earlier today.

The decision needs to be approved by the nation’s parliament in the next few days, with Slovene politicians voting on the matter next Tuesday.

“I very much welcome this decision by Slovenia today,” Taoiseach Simon Harris said on X (formerly Twitter). “Another EU Member State joins us in recognising the State of Palestine and keeping the destination and hope for a two state solution to the fore.”

Today, the Government of #Slovenia 🇸🇮 adopted the decision on the recognition of the independence and sovereignty of #Palestine and submitted it to the National Assembly. pic.twitter.com/EO8PUVVz0d

— MFEA Slovenia (@MZEZ_RS) May 30, 2024

Earlier this week, Ireland, Spain and Norway officially recognised a Palestinian state in an effort coordinate pressure on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza. Other EU countries to have already recognised Palestine include Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden, with Malta saying that it could follow suit.

While France says the time isn’t right to recognise Palestine, French President Emmanuel Macron has reportedly offered recognition of the State of Palestine if "necessary reforms" are implemented, during a call with Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abba.

Elsewhere, Australia and Britain are said to be considering recognition, while Germany and the United States continue to reject a unilateral approach.

International pressure has been mounting on Israel in recent days, after world leaders condemned an Israeli strike on a centre for displaced people near Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 27 – which resulted in the death of at least 40 people, including women and children, according to Gaza officials.