Slovenia Joins Spain, Ireland, and Norway in Recognizing Independent Palestinian State
In a bold move, the Slovenian government has approved the decision to recognize Palestine as an independent and sovereign state, following in the footsteps of Spain, Ireland, and Norway. Prime Minister Robert Golob made the announcement at a news conference in Ljubljana, stating that the government’s decision must also be approved by the parliament in the coming days.
This decision is part of a larger effort by countries to coordinate pressure on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza. Spain, Ireland, and Norway officially recognized a Palestinian state on May 28, which drew a strong reaction from Israel.
Among the 27 members of the European Union, several countries including Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria have already recognized Palestine. Malta is also considering following suit. However, countries like Britain and Australia are still contemplating recognition, while France believes now is not the right time.
Germany, along with the United States, rejects a unilateral approach and insists that a two-state solution can only be achieved through dialogue. Denmark’s parliament recently voted down a bill to recognize a Palestinian state.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which rules Gaza, has resulted in a significant loss of life on both sides. With more countries recognizing Palestine, the pressure on Israel to find a peaceful resolution continues to grow.