“The decision to recognize Palestine is part of the government’s efforts to stop the atrocities in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible,” Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said at a press conference, adding that the final decision will be made before June 13.
In March, Slovenia, Spain, Ireland and Malta declared in a joint statement that they are “ready to recognize Palestine” as soon as the conditions for the creation of a state are in place.
“We continue to monitor the progress of the peace talks, the release of hostages and the reforms of the Palestinian Authority, and if it is faster, we could complete the recognition process sooner,” the prime minister said.
Slovenia has urged Israel to halt its offensive in the Gaza Strip and warned that an attack on Rafah could deepen the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.
A simple majority of votes is enough to get the decision approved by the parliament. Golob’s centre-left coalition has 51 out of 90 seats in parliament.
Almost 60% of Slovenians support the recognition of the Palestinian state, while 20% are against it, according to a public opinion survey by the newspaper “Dnevnik” in April.
Of the 193 UN member states, 137 have recognized the Palestinian state, according to the data compiled by the Palestinians.
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