Slovenian leaders clash over Israel policy

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša has publicly clashed with President Nataša Pirc Musar over the country's approach to European Union foreign policy regarding Israel. The dispute arose after President Pirc Musar called for Slovenia to support a joint EU statement condemning Israeli construction in the West Bank, arguing that international law must be applied consistently. Prime Minister Janša rejected the President's position, asserting that Slovenia is a sovereign state and an equal member of the EU. He stated, "We are decision-makers, not servants," adding that there is no mandatory European foreign policy position without the consent of member states. Janša further dismissed allegations of genocide in Gaza or the West Bank as lacking legal establishment by any competent institution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Janša for his "courage and clarity" in the face of what he described as EU hypocrisy, contrasting the bloc's stance on Israel with its silence regarding Turkey's occupation of parts of Cyprus.