Slovenian Prime Minister Meets Samaria Council Chief After Lifting West Bank Import Ban

Slovenia’s new prime minister, Janez Janša, invited Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan to an official meeting soon after his government scrapped the Slovenian ban on imports from Judea and Samaria and lifted its arms embargo on Israel.

The meeting followed a series of major policy changes by the new Slovenian government. Janša and Dagan have kept in regular contact for years, and after Slovenia’s recent election they met in Ljubljana even before the new government was formed. They have also held meetings and tours in Samaria and in the Slovenian capital.

Until about a month ago, Slovenia was considered one of Israel’s most hostile European countries, alongside Spain and Ireland. In May last year, its government formally recognized a Palestinian state, and in the summer it imposed an unprecedented ban on imports from Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria and on arms trade with Israel.

At the meeting, Dagan thanked Janša and said, “You should know that all the people of Israel appreciate you, especially the pioneers building Judea and Samaria. We stand together, we feel your heart, and we share the same values. We have the same mission, and we are here together to accomplish it.” Janša replied, “May God bless the residents of Judea and Samaria. May the friendship between Israel and Slovenia last for many years.”