Slovenia to ban imports of Israeli settlement goods

Slovenia has introduced a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements and approved an additional aid package for Palestinians in Gaza, the government says in a statement.

“The government today banned the import of goods originating from settlements in the occupied territories, including a ban on circumventing the ban on these imports,” the statement on the government website says.

The news agency says the volume of goods affected is extremely low, at under 2,000 euros ($2,327.60) in 2023.

The government also instructs ministries to consider banning the export of goods from Slovenia intended for Israeli settlements.

“Israeli government’s actions, including the construction of illegal settlements, expropriations, the forced displacement of the Palestinian population, the destruction of their homes… constitute serious and repeated violations of international humanitarian law,” Prime Minister Robert Golob says in statement quoted by the STA news agency.

“These actions not only threaten the lives and dignity of the Palestinian population, but also the foundations of the international order.”

The government also says it will provide material assistance in the form of food and blankets, estimated to be worth up to 879,490 euros, to the Palestinians affected by the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Slovenia recognized a Palestinian state in June last year, following Spain, Ireland and Norway. Last week it imposed an embargo on exports, imports and the transit of arms to Israel, two weeks after it declared far-right Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich personae non gratae.