Israel condemns Slovenia’s Palestinian statehood move

Israel’s foreign minister denounced the Slovenian government’s decision on May 30 to recognize an independent Palestinian state.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the decision, which requires Slovenian parliamentary approval, rewarded Hamas for murder and rape, a reference to the Palestinian Islamist group’s October 7 attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza, Arab News reports.

In a statement, Katz said the move also strengthened Israel’s arch-enemy Iran and damaged “the close friendship between the Slovenian and Israeli people.”

He added: “I hope the Slovenian parliament rejects this recommendation.”