Slovenia blocks joint EU statement on Israel
Slovenia has vetoed a joint statement by the EU and its 27 Member States condemning Israel's decision to build new settlements in the West Bank. As a result the document could only be issued as a communiqué from the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas. The Foreign Ministry of the new centre-right government in Ljubljana explained the veto saying that the statement "would not bring added value at this moment".
Odd one out in Europe
Slovenia is likely to continue causing further division in foreign policy, Večer fears:
“With the fourth Janša government taking office, a shift – albeit a predicted one – has taken place in foreign policy. At his confirmation hearing prior to taking office, Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer stressed that Slovenia would no longer condemn Israel. However, matters have evidently gone beyond mere tacit approval. If, after the lifting of sanctions and the opening of an Israeli embassy in the country, Slovenia vetoes a statement that even Germany supported, one might well be anxious about what comes next.”
It's not international law that has changed
had blog criticises:
“In February 2026 Slovenia officially warned that Israel does not have sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories, that the expansion of settlements is illegal and must be halted immediately. Now, just a few months later, the new government is blocking a joint European declaration that says exactly that – or almost exactly that. It is not international law that has changed in the meantime. The only thing that has changed is the Slovenian government.”