Slovenia takes hard line on Israel at EU summit: ‘Either action by the 27, or individual states will act’

Brussels – Faced with what is happening in Gaza at the hands of Israel and its government, “if the EU does not take tangible steps within the next few days, the member states will have to do so individually to put pressure.” In the end, it is Slovenia that breaks the deadlock, with Prime Minister Robert Golob arriving in Brussels for the European Council summit, determined to push for the change of pace already demanded by his government but that has yet to take place.

The summit of heads of state and government, among other things, addresses the issue of Israel as part of the broader debate on the Middle East. In the background are the human rights violations committed by the current Israeli administration, with the expected condemnations, which, however, are dividing the EU. The fragmentation is so deep it risks leading to rupture. The Slovenian leader is ready to ask his like-minded colleagues to take action if the meeting does not yield approval for concrete measures.

Il re di Giordania critica Israele e sprona l’Ue: “A Gaza una versione vergognosa dell’umanità”

“Within the next few days” is the ultimatum Golob imposed for sanctions against the Israeli government; it means that the leaders must give the green light in principle to allow the foreign ministers to work on it. “Unfortunately, some states, even important ones, put their own interests before human rights,” the Slovenian prime minister laments and criticizes. An attack on those countries – Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Greece, Romania, and Lithuania – that oppose the idea of proceeding against the Jewish state.

On the other hand, Slovenia, Belgium, Ireland, France, Sweden, and Spain favor sanctions. It is precisely the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, who is calling for a clear “immediate” signal to send to the government of Israel. “It makes no sense to have imposed 18 packages of sanctions against Russia for its aggression against Ukraine and then Europe, with a double standard, is not even capable of suspending an Association Agreement when Article 2 on respect for human rights is blatantly violated, in this case, by Israel,” thunders the Spanish leader, who has come to Brussels intending to call for the “suspension of the Association Agreement with Israel.“