Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister Breaks With Europe: “Samaria Should Be Under Sovereignty”

As pressure in Europe grows against Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister Jernej Vrtovec publicly expressed support for applying Israeli sovereignty in Samaria. The remarks were made during an extended diplomatic meeting he held today (Tuesday) with Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital.

The meeting took place on the day Britain announced sanctions against Judea and Samaria, and about two weeks after Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša cast an unprecedented veto that blocked a European Union decision. Vrtovec, who serves not only as deputy prime minister but also as transportation minister and energy minister, spoke with Dagan about the status and strategic importance of Judea and Samaria for Israel’s security and the security of the Western world.

During the conversation, Dagan presented maps intended to illustrate the region’s security and strategic significance, and thanked the deputy prime minister for the Slovenian government’s position and for blocking the European effort to impose sanctions on the communities. At the end of the meeting, Dagan gave him a pin bearing the emblem of Samaria.

Dagan said: “I would like to thank the Slovenian government, Prime Minister Janez Janša, and the deputy prime minister for the courageous and just decision to cast a veto in the European Union and stop the attempt to impose sanctions on Judea and Samaria. Judea and Samaria are the protective wall of the State of Israel and are strategically important to the security of the entire Western world. Israel is the frontline, the forward position that protects Europe.”

He added: “It is impossible to accept a situation in which Jews are punished simply because they live in the heart of the Land of Israel. The Slovenian government’s move is an important step against the boycott and delegitimization, and in favor of truth, justice, and the deep friendship between our peoples.”

For his part, Vrtovec emphasized the relationship between the two countries and the new Slovenian government’s desire to deepen it: “Thank you very much, Mr. Dagan, for your visit to Slovenia. Slovenia and Israel are friendly countries, and we need to elevate this spirit under our new conservative government. We share common values; we must defend those values, and I am sure that together we will achieve this. Regarding your efforts in Samaria, we express great solidarity with your country.”

The deputy prime minister also announced: “In addition, as soon as possible, perhaps as early as December, a delegation from the NSI party, as well as representatives from our office, will visit Israel, and Samaria in particular.” In his words, “Thank you very much once again for being here in Slovenia and for visiting us, and I am sure we will continue in this positive spirit. We express great solidarity with Samaria, and we want to say that we support Samaria being under sovereignty.”