Members of the Nationwide Meeting applaud after the parliamentary vote in favour of recognising a Palestinian state, in Ljubljana, on June 4, 2024.
| Picture Credit score: AFP

Slovenia acknowledged a Palestinian state on June 4 after its parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the transfer, following within the current steps of three different European nations.

Slovenia’s authorities endorsed a movement final week to acknowledge a Palestinian state, and despatched the proposal to the parliament for closing approval, which was wanted for the choice to take impact.

Lawmakers on June 4 voted with 52 in favour and nobody in opposition to recognition within the 90-seat Parliament. The remaining lawmakers weren’t current for the vote.

“Pricey folks of Palestine, at present’s closing choice of Slovenia is a message of hope and peace,” Slovenia’s International Minister Tanja Fajon mentioned on the social media platform X. “We imagine that solely a two-state resolution can result in a long-lasting peace within the #MiddleEast. Slovenia will tirelessly proceed to work on the safety of each nations, Palestinians and Israelis.”

Slovenia’s choice got here days after Spain, Norway and Ireland recognized a Palestinian state, a transfer that was condemned by Israel.

Beforehand, solely seven members of the 27-nation European Union formally acknowledged a Palestinian state. 5 of them are former East bloc nations that introduced recognition in 1988, as did Cyprus, earlier than becoming a member of the EU. Sweden’s recognition got here in 2014.

“We began speaking with our allies concerning the recognition of Palestine in February this 12 months,” Prime Minister Robert Golob advised lawmakers earlier than Tuesday’s vote. “On the time, the evaluation was — the time is just not but ripe … we warned that we, Europe, have a … responsibility to behave.”

The ruling coalition led by Mr. Golob holds a snug majority in Slovenia’s Meeting and the vote was anticipated to be a formality.

Mr. Golob additionally evoked Slovenia’s independence from the previous Yugoslavia in 1991 in his remarks to parliament.

“We Slovenians have dreamed of this proper for 1,000 years. We obtained it 33 years in the past,” Mr. Golob mentioned. “Sadly, the Palestinian nation has not but obtained this proper.”

Slovenia’s essential opposition celebration, the Slovenian Democratic Get together, opposes the popularity. The suitable-wing celebration has demanded a referendum on the problem that might delay the vote, however on June 4 withdrew the bid earlier than once more submitting one other one which was rejected by parliament.

Slovenia first started the popularity course of in early Might however mentioned it will wait till the scenario within the ongoing Israel-Hamas struggle in Gaza improved. Mr. Golob has defined he was rushing up the method in response to Israel’s newest assaults on the southern Gaza metropolis of Rafah, which have brought about greater than 1 million Palestinians to flee.

The struggle was triggered by the Oct. 7 Hamas-led assault during which militants stormed throughout the Gaza border into southern Israel, killing 1,200 folks and taking about 250 hostage. Israel’s air and land assaults have since killed greater than 36,000 Palestinians, in line with Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians.

More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state — greater than two-thirds of the United Nations.