Slovenian Deputy PM Voices Support for Israeli Sovereignty in West Bank

On the same day the UK announced sanctions against the West Bank, the head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, met with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister Jernej Vrtovec in Ljubljana. Vrtovec declared his solidarity with Israel, stating, "Samaria should be under sovereignty." The meeting occurred two weeks after Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša vetoed an EU decision, preventing sanctions against Israeli settlements.

Dagan presented maps to Vrtovec, illustrating the strategic and security importance of the West Bank for Israel and the wider Western world. He thanked the Slovenian government for its stance against the EU sanctions initiative, which he described as an attempt to punish Jews for living in the "heart of the Land of Israel." Dagan asserted that Israel acts as Europe's defense line against threats.

The meeting also took place amidst a public dispute within Slovenia, where President Nataša Pirc Musar had criticized the government's policy towards Israel and clashed with the Prime Minister over his meetings with Dagan and support for the West Bank.

Vrtovec, who also serves as Slovenia's Minister of Transport and Energy, wore a pin symbolizing the Samaria region. He affirmed the strong friendship between Slovenia and Israel, emphasizing shared values and the need to protect them under the new conservative government. "Regarding your efforts in Samaria, we express great solidarity with your country and want to say that we support Samaria being under sovereignty," Vrtovec stated.