Slovenia has become the first European country to ban all goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, a week after it also imposed an unprecedented arms embargo on Israel.

The government cited Israel’s “serious and repeated violations of international humanitarian law” that “threaten the lives and dignity of the Palestinian people and the foundations of international order.” The measure is largely symbolic – the affected imports in 2024 were worth around €30,000, mainly avocados – but it also includes a ban on any attempts to circumvent it.

In July, Ljubljana had already declared two far-right Israeli ministers persona non grata and banned the sale and transit of weapons to Israel. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon acknowledged the symbolic nature of the move, but stressed that it was a “necessary response” that sends a “clear message” to Israel and the international community.

BGNES recalls that on August 6, over 2,000 people gathered in the center of Ljubljana to condemn the war in Gaza and the looming famine there, protesting by banging pots and pans. They demanded new sanctions: a complete arms embargo, the cessation of economic, cultural and academic ties, support for the genocide claim filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, and the opening of safe routes for the Palestinians.

The rally was addressed by Syrian publisher, poet and writer of Palestinian origin Mohammad Abdul Monaem and former social worker at a high school in Gaza Etaf Abdelrahman, both refugees in Slovenia, as well as Slovenian poet, writer and actor Andrej Rozman Roza.

Slovenia also announced that it will send additional humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians - nearly 8,000 food packages and 1,000 blankets worth about 900,000 euros, which will be delivered via Jordan. | BGNES