Slovenia’s outgoing government has in recent years been considered one of the most critical European governments of Israel. [Getty]
Slovenian authorities on Wednesday, 3 June, refused to allow an Israeli aircraft to land in Ljubljana, forcing it to change course and land in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, amid accusations that the decision was politically motivated.
According to Israeli media, Israir CEO Uri Sirkis described the move as “a blatant violation of European Union aviation agreements”.
Sirkis claimed that authorities in Ljubljana do not allow Israeli airlines to land “because they strongly oppose, politically, the positions pursued by the Israeli government”.
He explained that “the Foreign Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority intervened in the matter, but to no avail”.
Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev criticised the decision, saying that “this is an unacceptable political step that directly harms the citizens of Israel, and anyone seeking to boycott us through the aviation sector must understand that there will be consequences”.
She added that “Israel will not stand idly by and will act using all the tools at its disposal”.
The Hebrew-language Channel 12 website noted that Slovenia is in the midst of a major political transition and that the government in Ljubljana, which recognised a Palestinian state on 4 June 2024 and adopted a line critical of Israel, is making way for a right-wing government led by Janez Jansa, who is known for his support for Israel.
Meanwhile, the Hebrew-language Ynet website reported that Slovenia’s outgoing government has in recent years been considered one of the most critical European governments of Israel.
It said that the current decision comes amid a transitional period in the country, while the new government expected to be formed is viewed as more friendly towards Israel, and that policy on this issue may change after the new government takes office.
Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here.
