Slovenian intellectuals wrote to Golob and Fajon: Recognize Palestine or resign

(Patria) - More than 350 Slovenian intellectuals have called on Prime Minister Robert Golob and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon to recognize Palestine.

"Enough of the deception while waiting unbearably. Slovenia must recognize Palestine immediately," they wrote in a petition titled "Recognize Palestine or Resign!"

The intellectuals are disappointed with the government's hesitation regarding the recognition of Palestine during the Gaza war and emphasize that Slovenia should do so by the end of May.

"Enough of the surprises of unbearable waiting. Slovenia must recognize Palestine immediately. This must be recognized within a few weeks, and by the end of May this year at the latest, considering the procedures.

If there is no recognition during this time, Golob and Fajon should resign," they wrote in the petition titled "Recognize Palestine or Resign!"

They emphasized that the government's delay in recognizing Palestine can no longer be accepted or tolerated.

"Postponing until the 'right moment' and 'favorable circumstances', as the Prime Minister said, is unacceptable hypocrisy," the intellectuals believe.

In March, the prime ministers of Slovenia, Spain, Ireland, and Malta adopted a joint statement expressing their readiness to recognize Palestine when it can be done effectively and when circumstances are appropriate.

The signatories of the petition also recalled recent statements by Minister Fajon, who said that there will be no better time to recognize Palestine than soon, and that we are now at a point of no return and that Palestine deserves it.

"This has now arrived! Israel has launched a ground offensive on Rafah. For eight months, we have been counting civilian casualties, nearly 15,000 children have died in Gaza, every day we see a sea of blood, hunger, and violations of international humanitarian law," they warned, asking what else needs to happen for the decision to recognize Palestine to be easier.

"There is a limit when we must make it clear to citizens: enough of the uncontrolled behavior of our politicians, bowing to foreign centers of power, and simultaneously humiliating our reason," they added.

The first to sign the petition was philosopher and publicist Boris Vezjak, and Renata Salecl, Branko Soban, Rudi Rizman, Spomenka Hribar, Dragan Petrovec, Milena Mileva Blažić, Boris A. Novak, Matjaž Hanžek, Aleš Črnič, Mojca Kovač Šebart, and Vlado Miheljak also contributed.