Slovenian Deputy PM Expresses Support for Israeli Sovereignty in West Bank

Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister Zdravko Počivalšek met with Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to discuss the strategic importance of the West Bank for Israel and global security. Dagan presented maps illustrating the region's strategic and security significance and thanked Počivalšek for Slovenia's veto against a European Union decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements. This meeting occurs two weeks after Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša's veto blocked the EU decision and on the same day the UK announced sanctions against the West Bank.

Dagan highlighted that the West Bank acts as a shield for Israel and is strategically vital for the Western world, stating, "Israel is the frontline, the forward position that defends Europe." He criticized punishing Jews for living in the "heart of the Land of Israel" and praised Slovenia's move as a step against boycotts and delegitimization.

Počivalšek responded by thanking Dagan for his visit, emphasizing the friendship between Slovenia and Israel and the shared values under Slovenia's new conservative government. He expressed solidarity with Israel and the West Bank, adding, "We express great solidarity with the Samaria, and we want to say that we support the Samaria being under sovereignty." He also announced that a delegation from the NSI party and his ministry would visit Israel, specifically the West Bank, possibly as early as December.

The meeting also takes place amidst internal political friction in Slovenia, with President Nataša Pirc Musar having criticized the government's policy towards Israel and Prime Minister Janša's meetings with Dagan.