Slovenia Backs Israeli Sovereignty in West Bank Territory

Ahead of the reopening of Israel's embassy in Slovenia under Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's leadership, Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, held a series of high-level meetings with Slovenian government officials. Defense Minister Valentin Hajdinjak and Agriculture Minister Janez Cigler Kralj both expressed solidarity with Samaria (the northern West Bank region) and voiced official support for Israeli sovereignty over the territory. The meetings followed an earlier session with Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister and Transport and Energy Minister Jernej Vrtovec, who also backed sovereignty.

During the discussions, Dagan presented the strategic importance of Judea and Samaria (West Bank) to Israel's security and to Western security more broadly. The parties discussed security threats posed by what Dagan characterized as the establishment of a "terror state" in the heart of the country, and addressed political efforts to counter attempts to impose sanctions on settlements and West Bank residents.

Against the backdrop of Britain's recent decision to impose sweeping sanctions on Judea and Samaria, Dagan held an extended political meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Vrtovec. Dagan called on the Slovenian government to continue standing with Israel and to oppose European moves seeking to penalize settlements. Vrtovec wore a Samaria pin and declared the Slovenian government's support for Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

Defense Minister Hajdinjak told Dagan: "Thank you very much for your visit, it's a pleasure to meet you. I wish you all the best. Slovenia and Israel have been partners. We cooperated in the past and I believe we will in the future as well. I also want to support sovereignty in Judea and Samaria."

Agriculture Minister Cigler Kralj added: "You are a true fighter for Israel and Europe. I express solidarity and support for Judea and Samaria and for sovereignty in this important territory of yours. We will work together for the security of Slovenia and Israel. Thank you very much for the partnership."

Dagan is considered a longtime friend of Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša and has maintained close contact with him since before Janša's election as prime minister. Over the years, Dagan has worked with Janša and senior officials in his government to present the reality in Judea and Samaria, block moves against settlements, and deepen support for Israel's right to act for its security.

The meetings took place amid public tensions within Slovenia's leadership over the country's policy toward Israel and the settlements. Recently, Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar clashed with the government's position on Israel, referencing among other things the prime minister's meeting with Dagan and his policy toward West Bank settlements.

Meanwhile, Janša has led an independent line regarding European policy toward Israel. His government vetoed a joint statement by European Union member states concerning construction plans in the E1 area, a strategic corridor east of Jerusalem, thereby preventing it from becoming the official position of all EU countries. Israel's embassy in Slovenia is scheduled to reopen today following the renewal of warm relations between the two countries, led by Foreign Minister Sa'ar. Dagan is expected to attend the embassy opening ceremony.

"Judea and Samaria is the protective wall of the State of Israel and of the entire Western world," Dagan said. "In the meetings, I presented to senior Slovenian government officials the danger of establishing a terror state in the heart of the country and the need to stand firmly against attempts to impose boycotts and sanctions on settlements. The courageous friendship with Prime Minister Janez Janša and his government ministers has been built over years of joint work. As Israel's embassy in Slovenia opens, we will continue to strengthen ties with our friends and work together for the State of Israel and Judea and Samaria."

Dagan also praised Sa'ar, saying he "has made a revolution that will be talked about in the work of the Foreign Ministry, both in strategy and in budgeting. Together with the Foreign Ministry team, they are doing unprecedented advocacy work. The Samaria Regional Council is happy to be a partner with the Foreign Ministry and the foreign minister in explaining the reality on the ground and in the fight against delegitimization."