Slovenia becomes first EU country to ban weapons trade with Israel

Slovenia announced on July 31st that it will ban all weapons trade with Israel, becoming the first European Union member to do so, according to The New Arab.

The Slovenian government has been a consistent critic of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza. In June 2024, it formally recognised the State of Palestine, joining Ireland, Norway, and Spain in calling for an immediate end to the conflict. In July 2025, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada also moved toward recognising Palestinian statehood ahead of the UN General Assembly in September.

“Slovenia is the first European country to ban the import, export, and transit of weapons to and from Israel,” the government said in a statement. It added that the decision was taken independently, citing the EU’s inability to act due to “internal disagreements and disunity.”

The statement emphasised that “it is the duty of every responsible state to take action, even if it means taking a step ahead of others,” particularly amid the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where extreme hunger, famine, and deaths linked to blocked aid are rising. The government echoed growing international concern that Israel is weaponising humanitarian aid to escalate the war.

Slovenia also clarified that it had not issued any permits for weapons or equipment exports to Israel since the war began in October 2023.

Earlier in July, Slovenia took another unprecedented step by banning two far-right Israeli ministers from entering its territory, declaring them “persona non grata.” The government accused both individuals of inciting violence and promoting “genocidal statements” that violate the human rights of Palestinians.

The New Arab, Maghrebi.org