Slovenia recognises Palestinian state

The Slovenian government has approved a decision to recognise an independent Palestinian state, Prime Minister Robert Golob said, following in the steps of Spain, Norway and the Republic of Ireland.

“Today the government has decided to recognise Palestine as an independent and sovereign state,” he said at a news conference in Ljubljana on Thursday.

The government’s decision still requires the approval of the European Union member country’s parliament, which is set to vote on the motion on Tuesday.

“The session is scheduled for Tuesday from 4pm (14:00 GMT),” parliament speaker Urska Klakocar Zupancic told a press conference in Ljubljana.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he hoped Slovenian lawmakers would reject the motion.

“The Slovenian government’s decision to recommend that the Slovenian parliament recognise a Palestinian state rewards Hamas… I hope the Slovenian parliament rejects this recommendation,” Katz said on X.