The Slovenian government approved on Thursday a decision to recognize the State of Palestine and referred it to parliament for a vote, as reported by Palestinian media.
It is noteworthy that the Palestinian Ambassador to Russia, Abdel Hafiz Nofal, stated that his country is awaiting recognition from Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Slovenia of the State of Palestine. He explained that Slovenia’s recognition will come within days, followed by Luxembourg, Belgium, and Portugal in the near future.
According to Russia Today, Nofal mentioned that Europeans are beginning to realize something is wrong, questioning why Israel is doing what happened during World War II, such as the Holocaust.
On April 18, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution affirming the right of the State of Palestine to full membership in the United Nations, with 143 votes in favor out of 193.
With the announcement of recognition by Norway, Ireland, and Spain, the number of European Union member states recognizing Palestine rises to 12 out of 27.
The recent war in Gaza has intensified the push for Palestinian recognition among several European countries. The conflict, which saw significant violence and civilian casualties, prompted international outcry and calls for a resolution to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In May 2021, clashes between Israeli forces and Hamas escalated into an 11-day conflict, resulting in extensive damage in Gaza and a high death toll. The United Nations reported severe humanitarian impacts, including thousands of displaced individuals and widespread destruction.
This conflict led to increased international scrutiny of Israel’s actions and renewed support for Palestinian statehood. The European Union’s stance reflects growing frustration with the ongoing violence and the lack of progress towards a two-state solution.