Slovenians protest as Israel opens embassy in Ljubljana

Slovenians took to the streets of Ljubljana to protest the opening of an Israeli embassy in the capital city on Wednesday (September 9). Protesters marched through the streets waving Palestinian flags and shouting free free Palestine. Protesters said Israel's actions in Gaza were the main reason for their opposition. One protester said: This is the greatest disgrace to have befallen Slovenia in recent times: the opening of an embassy for a country that is committing genocide in Gaza. Another protester, Jan Vajgl, said they came to demand an end of all ties whether diplomatic, academic or economic with Israel and called the actions of the Slovenian government a "180 degree turn". It marks a change in approach for Slovenia, a tiny Alpine country which is a European Union and NATO military alliance member. Under the previous liberal government, it was one of a few European countries to recognise a Palestinian state. Slovenia was also among the first EU countries to ban imports from the West Bank and entry for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his two hardline ministers, decisions that were quickly revoked by the new government. According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 73,000 Palestinians are confirmed to have died in the Israeli war in Gaza. (Source: Reuters)