Slovenia Bans Arms Exports to Israel—A Precedent for the EU?
As Slovenia formally imposes an Arms Embargo on Israel for its ongoing crimes in Gaza, will the remainder of EU follow suit? How does the Secretary General of the United Nations react to these developments?
UN, 08/01/2025: By Ahmed Ali
Slovenia has become the first EU member state to formally impose an arms embargo on Israel, raising questions about whether other European nations will follow suit.
The arms embargo was officially declared by Prime Minister Robert Golob after a government session on Thursday, July 31st. Glob contends that amid “uncertainty and the European Unions inability to act concretely in agreeing and imposing decisive measures, the state has decided to act independently.”
Glob goes on to further mention, “people … are dying because humanitarian aid is systematically denied them”, it was the “duty of every responsible state to take action, even if it means taking a step ahead of others.”
Slovenia asserts that it has not issued any permits for the export of military weapons and equipment to Israel since October 2023. This latest development however, and clear public condemnation by the state could create a lasting domino effect for the rest of the continent to take extreme and decisive measures.
The Secretary General, relayed by his spokesperson Farhan Haq, maintains that the United Nations carries the same position it has for quite some time. “We do not comment on bilateral measures taken by states against arms, but what the Secretary General wants to see is greater support from member states on a ceasefire, release of all hostages, and full humanitarian access.”
With the United Nations annual Summit to be convened soon in the month of September, it will be important to see if member states reaffirm their commitments to the Palestinian cause.
