Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister Advocates Israeli Sovereignty in Samaria
Slovenian Deputy PM Jernej Vrtovec voiced support for Samaria's sovereignty, a stance contrasting with EU condemnations and Czech criticism.
Jerusalem, 8 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — After Britain announced sanctions against Judea and Samaria today, Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan met in Ljubljana with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister Jernej Vrtovec, who expressed “strong solidarity with Samaria” and said, “We support Samaria being under sovereignty.”
In late August, Slovenia and the Czech Republic used their EU veto power to block a joint condemnation by all 27 member states of Israel’s planned E1 construction in Judea and Samaria. EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas was forced to issue a statement on her own instead.
“We share common values, and we must defend those values,” Vrtovec said.
Dagan called Slovenia’s stance “an important step against boycotts and delegitimization.”
Czech President Nataša Pirc Musar sharply criticized the meeting, urging Slovenia to follow the EU line condemning settlements. She has previously accused Israel of genocide and raised the Palestinian flag over the presidential palace.