Slovenia to completely ban arms trade with Israel, calling it the first in the EU
Prime Minister Janez Janša of Slovenia announced late on Thursday (July 31) that it would completely ban arms trade and transit with Israel due to the Gaza war, and called itself the first EU country to take this measure.
According to AFP, the Slovenian government released a statement late on Thursday 31: "Slovenia is the first European country to prohibit imports, exports, and transit to Israel."
The statement said that Slovenia "acted alone," because the EU "due to internal divisions and lack of unity... could not take specific measures."
The statement also mentioned that in the destructive Gaza war, "people... died due to systematic deprivation of humanitarian aid," and "it is the duty of every responsible country to act, even if it means taking the lead ahead of other countries."
The statement added that since the conflict broke out in October 2023, the government had not issued any military weapons and equipment export licenses to Israel.
In June 2024, the Slovenian parliament passed an act recognizing the status of Palestine, following Ireland, Norway, and Spain. Afterward, it repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza and increased aid to Gaza.
In July this year, Slovenia became the first EU country to ban two Israeli far-right ministers from entering the country.
Slovenian Foreign Minister Miro Cerar announced on July 17 that Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich were "unwelcome persons," prohibiting them from entering the country. The reason was that the two played a key role in creating the "unbearable situation" in Gaza, accused them of "inciting extreme violence and serious violations of Palestinian human rights," and made "incitement to genocide" statements.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839276081413257/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.