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Slovenia announced late Thursday it has become the first European country to ban the import, export, and transit of weapons and military equipment to and from Israel, citing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The decision, initiated by Prime Minister Robert Golob, was confirmed during a government session earlier in the day, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
Under the new policy, all military weapons and equipment sent from Slovenia to Israel, brought in from Israel, or transported through Slovenian territory are prohibited.
The Slovenian government said the move came in response to the European Union’s failure to take unified action on Israel due to internal disagreements.
"The European Union is currently unable to fulfill this task," the government said.
Referring to Gaza, the statement condemned the denial of humanitarian access. "People in Gaza are dying because humanitarian aid is systematically denied to them. They are dying under the rubble, without access to drinking water, food, and basic healthcare," it said.
The government called this a "complete denial of humanitarian access and a conscious prevention of basic conditions for survival." It added that responsible states must act even if it means stepping ahead of others.
Slovenia said it plans to prepare additional national measures against the current Israeli government, whose actions it described as "serious violations of international humanitarian law."
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Earlier in July, Slovenia banned two far-right Israeli ministers from entering the country, declaring them "persona non grata" for inciting "extreme violence and serious violations of the human rights of Palestinians" through "genocidal statements."
In June 2024, Slovenia’s parliament recognized Palestinian statehood, joining Ireland, Norway, and Spain in condemning Israel’s bombing of Gaza after Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023.
The Israeli military offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, has killed more than 60,200 Palestinians, according to human rights groups. The relentless bombardment has devastated Gaza and caused severe food shortages.
On Monday, Israeli rights organizations B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing the systematic destruction of Palestinian society and deliberate dismantling of the territory’s healthcare system.
Last 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. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in the enclave.
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