Slovenia Becomes The First European Union Country To Ban Arms Trade With Israel

Israeli soldiers from the Nahal Infantry Brigade in the Gaza Strip. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - The government of Slovenia announced the full ban on all arms trade with Israel, making it the first country of the European Union to implement the move, highlighting the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement issued late Thursday, the Slovenian Government confirmed it had approved a decision - initiated by Prime Minister Robert Golob - to ban exports, imports and transits of weapons and military equipment between Slovenia and Israel.

"This decision implements Prime Minister Robert Golob's repeated commitment, which was last made at the European Council Summit in June," the statement said, quoted from WAFA Aug. 1.

"He insists that if the European Union fails to take concrete action in mid-July, Slovenia will act independently," he added.

The Slovenian government stressed that internal divisions and the lack of unity within the European Union have hampered the bloc's ability to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza effectively.

"People in Gaza are dying because humanitarian aid is systematically blocked. They are dying under the rubble, without access to clean water, food, or basic health services," the statement said.

"This is a total rejection of humanitarian aid and a deliberate barrier to the minimum condition of survival. In such situations, it is the obligation of every country responsible for acting, even if it means taking the lead," the statement stressed.

Slovenia reiterated its commitment to upholding international law and human rights, by declaring further national measures against the current Israeli government will be prepared in the coming weeks.

The government called Israel's actions in Gaza "serious violations of international humanitarian law."