Slovenia to recognise Palestinian state by mid-June

(Patria) - The Slovenian government today initiated the procedure for recognising the Palestinian state as a form of pressure to end the conflict in Gaza, Prime Minister Robert Golob said.

"The horrors we witness every day in Gaza are unacceptable and must stop. I call on Israel to immediately end its attacks on Gaza and sit down at the negotiating table," Golob wrote on platform X.

He added that he hopes this recognition will serve as "an incentive for negotiations to begin as soon as possible" and to accelerate dialogue at the UN on an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the security and viability of Israel through a two-state solution.

Israel considers the plan to recognise a Palestinian state, announced alongside Slovenia by Ireland, Spain and Malta, as a "reward for terrorism" and believes it will reduce the prospects for a negotiated solution to the conflict in Gaza.

At today's session, the government decided to initiate the procedure for recognising 🇵🇸 Palestine as an independent and sovereign state. It also began the process of preparing budgets for 2025 and 2026.

👇https://t.co/Ur3IlA9dEm

— Government of the Republic of Slovenia (@vladaRS) May 9, 2024

Some of these countries plan to recognise the Palestinian state on May 21, while the date of Slovenia's recognition will depend on progress in peace negotiations, but no later than June 13.

If progress accelerates, Slovenia will complete the recognition procedure more quickly.

Golob believes that this decision contains expectations for all parties involved in the conflict: progress in peace negotiations, the release of hostages, and reform of the Palestinian Authority.

The UN General Assembly will vote on May 10 on a draft resolution recognising that Palestinians are qualified for full UN membership, and recommending that the Security Council consider potential membership.

Since 1988, 139 of the 193 UN member states have recognised Palestinian statehood.

Diplomatic sources expect the General Assembly to support the draft resolution aimed at Palestinian membership in the UN.

However, changes to the text are still possible, after some diplomats expressed concern about the additional rights and privileges the current draft guarantees to Palestinians.

They believe such a move could set a precedent for other cases such as Kosovo and Taiwan.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan condemned the draft resolution, saying it would de facto grant Palestinians the rights and status of a state, which he considers contrary to the UN Charter.

- If the draft is adopted, I expect the US to cut funding to UN institutions, in accordance with US law - Erdan said.

Under US law, Washington cannot fund any UN organisation that grants full membership to any group that does not have "internationally recognised attributes" of statehood.

Thus, in 2011, funding to UNESCO was cut after Palestine became a full member.