Slovenia Expresses Solidarity with Samaria Amid European Sanctions

On the same day the United Kingdom announced sanctions targeting Judea and Samaria, Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, met with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister Jernej Vrtovec in Slovenia. Following their meeting, Vrtovec displayed a Samaria badge and declared, "We express deep solidarity. Samaria should be under Israeli sovereignty." This encounter occurred two weeks after Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša vetoed an EU decision and on the day the UK imposed sanctions on Judea and Samaria.

During their discussions, Dagan and Vrtovec addressed the strategic importance of Judea and Samaria for Israel's security and the broader Western world. Dagan presented maps illustrating the region's strategic value and thanked Vrtovec for the Slovenian government's firm stance in blocking the EU's attempt to sanction Jewish settlements.

The Samaria Regional Council's press office noted Dagan's ongoing relationship with Prime Minister Janša, who has long supported Samaria. Dagan has previously met with Janša to advocate for increased European and international support for Jewish settlements.

The meeting also took place amidst internal Slovenian political divisions. Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar has criticized the government's Israel policy, particularly Janša's support for Judea and Samaria.

Dagan stated at the meeting, "I want to thank the Slovenian government, Prime Minister Janez Janša, and the Deputy Prime Minister for the brave and just decision to use the veto right in the European Union and stop the attempt to impose sanctions on Judea and Samaria. Judea and Samaria are Israel's defensive shield and a territory of strategic importance for the security of the entire Western world. Israel is on the front line and protects Europe."

Deputy Prime Minister Vrtovec added, "Slovenia and Israel are friendly states, and under our new conservative government, we need to take these relations to a new level. We share common values and must protect them. I am sure that together we will succeed. Regarding your activities in Samaria, we express deep solidarity with your country. Furthermore, in the near future, possibly as early as December, a delegation from the NSI party, as well as representatives from our ministry, will visit Israel and, in particular, Samaria. I am sure that we will continue to develop our relations in the same positive spirit. We express deep solidarity with Samaria and want to state that we support the extension of Israeli sovereignty to Samaria."