LJUBLJANA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia on Wednesday introduced a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, the government said after its session on Wednesday.
Slovenia became the first European Union country to do so. The ministries of foreign affairs and economy will also study the possibility of a ban on all exports from Slovenia to those territories, according to the government.
"The government also decided to send Palestinian civilian population ... help in the form of food and blankets in the total value of 879,490 euros (1 million U.S. dollars)," the government said in a statement, adding that "security and humanitarian conditions in the area of Gaza have been extremely bad for some time and are still worsening".
Describing the ban as "a necessary response," Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said on X that it sends "a clear message to Israel and the wider international community that violations of international law are not without consequences in international relations."
Slovenia, an incumbent non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, has so far spent over 2 million euros on help in the form of food and other goods sent to Gaza.
Slovenia, which officially recognized the State of Palestine in June 2024, has been pushing for European sanctions against Israel. Last week, it prohibited exports, imports and transport of weapons to and from Israel.
Earlier in July, it declared Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bazalel Smotrich personae non gratae, citing grave violations of Palestinian human rights. (1 Euro=1.16 U.S. dollars) ■
