Slovenia first from EU to join ICJ motion against Israeli practices in Gaza

Slovenia has decided to formally join proceedings in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking an advisory opinion on Israeli control of, and policies in, the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, a motion that precedes South Africa’s genocide allegations heard in the court last week.

The UN General Assembly voted in December 2022 to request that the ICJ, a principal organ of the UN, issue an advisory opinion as to whether Israeli policy in the territories violated international law.

In the wake of the current conflict in Gaza, the Slovenian foreign minister announced last week that Slovenia had decided to ‘actively participate’ in the motion for an advisory opinion due to the current conflict in Gaza and the situation in the West Bank.

Those proceedings will examine the ongoing violation by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, from its prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, as well as policies in East Jerusalem, and allegedly ‘discriminatory legislation.’

Slovenia’s decision to participate in the motion will give it the ability to submit a written position on the issues raised by the UN General Assembly’s request.

“This is a very broad spectrum of alleged violations that have been committed in the region for decades and whose horrific consequences are still visible today,” said Slovenian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon at a press conference following the adoption of the decision by the Slovenian Government on Thursday.

“Slovenia has consistently called for additional sanctions against Hamas and violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, as well as for the establishment of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian access and the early start of a two-state solution peace process,” she added.

The first hearing on the case is scheduled to take place on 19 February.

Several other countries have already submitted written comments on the UNGA request, including Jordan, Qatar, Belize, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Egypt. Slovenia is the first European nation to do so.