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Slovenia on Wednesday announced a ban on imports of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling it a "symbolic measure" aimed at increasing diplomatic pressure over the war in Gaza.
Ljubljana has consistently criticized Israel over its military campaign and, last year, moved to recognize a Palestinian state as part of efforts to end the conflict.
“The actions of the Israeli government... constitute serious and repeated violations of international humanitarian law,” the government said in a statement.
Slovenia said it “cannot and must not be part of a chain that enables or overlooks” such violations, which include “the construction of illegal settlements, expropriations, [and] the forced evictions of the Palestinian population.”
As a result, the government decided to “ban imports of goods originating from Israeli illegal settlements.”
While calling the move symbolic, Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said it was a “necessary response to the ongoing humanitarian and security situation in Gaza.”
The government said it is also reviewing a ban on exports of goods from Slovenia “destined for [the] illegal settlements” and would “decide on further measures” once the review is complete.
According to the STA news agency, which cited a January government statement, Slovenia did not import any goods from Israeli settlements in 2022 or 2024. In 2023, imports amounted to about 2,000 euros.
Earlier in July, Slovenia became the first EU country to ban two far-right Israeli ministers from entering its territory, declaring them “persona non grata.” Authorities accused them of inciting “extreme violence and serious violations of the human rights of Palestinians” with “their genocidal statements.”
On July 31, Slovenia also became the first European country to prohibit the import, export, and transit of weapons and military equipment to and from Israel. The policy bans all military goods sent from Slovenia to Israel, brought in from Israel, or transported through Slovenian territory.
In June 2024, Slovenia’s parliament passed a decree recognizing Palestinian statehood, following similar moves by Ireland, Norway, and Spain. The decision came amid growing condemnation of Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
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Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 60,200 Palestinians. The bombardment has devastated the enclave and triggered severe food shortages.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Separately, the International Court of Justice is hearing a genocide case against Israel over its conduct in the enclave.
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