Slovenia Backs Israeli Sovereignty in West Bank Settlements

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, held an extended meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, with Deputy Prime Minister Jernej Vrtovec, who also serves as Minister of Transportation and Energy. The meeting came two weeks after Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša blocked a European Union resolution that would have imposed sanctions on Israeli settlements, and on the same day Britain announced new sanctions targeting the West Bank.

During their discussion, Dagan and Vrtovec addressed what they described as the strategic importance of the West Bank territories to Israeli security and broader Western interests. Dagan presented maps illustrating the region's strategic significance and personally thanked the deputy prime minister for Slovenia's position in blocking the EU sanctions effort. At the meeting's conclusion, Dagan presented Vrtovec with a pin bearing the Samaria Regional Council emblem.

Dagan has maintained close contact with Prime Minister Janša, considered a longtime supporter of Israeli settlements even before assuming office. Over the years, Dagan has held multiple meetings and conversations with Janša aimed at strengthening support for settlements within European and international forums.

The current visit to Slovenia unfolds against the backdrop of a public dispute within Slovenia's leadership. President Nataša Pirc Musar has criticized the government's Israel policy and specifically challenged the prime minister's meetings with Dagan and his support for Israeli presence in the West Bank.

"I want to thank the Slovenian government, Prime Minister Janez Janša, and the Deputy Prime Minister for their courageous and just decision to veto the European Union's attempt to impose sanctions on Judea and Samaria," Dagan said during the meeting. He described the West Bank as "the protective wall of the State of Israel" with strategic importance for Western security overall, calling Israel "the frontline, the forward position defending Europe."

Dagan added: "It's unacceptable for Jews to be punished simply for living in the heart of the Land of Israel. The Slovenian government's move is an important step against boycotts and delegitimization, and in favor of truth, justice, and the deep friendship between our peoples."

In response, Vrtovec said: "Thank you very much, Mr. Dagan, for your visit to Slovenia. Slovenia and Israel are friendly nations, and we need to upgrade this spirit under our new conservative government. We share common values, we must defend these values, and I'm confident that together we will achieve this. Regarding your efforts in Samaria, we express great solidarity with your country."

He continued: "As soon as possible, perhaps already in December, a delegation from the NSI party and representatives from our ministry will visit Israel, particularly Samaria. Thank you once again for being here in Slovenia and for visiting us, and I'm sure we will continue in this good spirit. We express great solidarity with Samaria, and we want to say that we support Samaria being under sovereignty."