Slovenian PEN Criticizes PM's 'Friendship' with Netanyahu Amidst Gaza Conflict

The Slovenian PEN Center has expressed strong criticism and concern regarding Prime Minister Janez Janša's public declarations of friendship with Israel and its leader, Benjamin Netanyahu. The organization stated that emphasizing this personal relationship casts a questionable shadow on Slovenia and its citizens, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.

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Emphasizing friendship with him casts a questionable shadow on Slovenia and its citizens.

PEN's statement draws a parallel between the historical persecution of Jews in Europe and the current situation, noting that while they condemn Hamas's actions, they also condemn Israel's policies. The center argues that descendants of Holocaust victims have become perpetrators, targeting civilians, journalists, and writers, and obstructing humanitarian aid to Palestinians. They accuse Israel of pursuing a genocidal policy of extermination against Palestinians for decades.

The organization further highlighted that Netanyahu faces accusations of war crimes at the International Court of Justice and is barred from entering many countries, which would necessitate his arrest by authorities, including Slovenia's. PEN finds this friendship incomprehensible and detrimental to Slovenia's international standing. The center, committed to peace and democracy, expressed disappointment with the Prime Minister's stance, which they believe contradicts Slovenia's foundational values.

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The descendants of the victims have turned into perpetrators, killing journalists and writers, deliberately attacking civilians, including children, and hindering humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

In response, Slovenian PEN announced plans to publish testimonies from writers in Gaza and translations of Palestinian poets. The article also notes that relations between Slovenia and Israel improved under Janša's government, which reversed previous measures against Israel, including an arms embargo.

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Emphasizing friendship with the prime minister of Israel, who is accused of war crimes at the international court and who is denied entry to most countries in the world, is incomprehensible to the members of Slovenian PEN and 'certainly casts a very questionable shadow on our country and the community of its citizens'.