Borut Pahor Aiming At Palestine, Shooting For A Comeback

Former president Borut Pahor went on national telly last Sunday and – among other things – said that while he is shocked (shocked!) over events in Gaza, he wouldn’t go so far to describe them as genocide. This was a direct rebuke of his successor Nataša Pirc Musar who did describe the atrocities in Palestine as genocide during her European Parliament address.

Borut Pahor on national television, avoiding the definition of a genocide (source)
Borut Pahor avoiding the definition of a genocide (source)

Obviously, what Borut Pahor says or does not say, has no influence on facts on the ground. It only reinforces the image of a self-serving (former?) politician, unable to take a principled stance on even the most basic of ethical questions. But it also raises (for the lack of a better word) an interesting question: has he gone mental? Because word on the street is that Pahor is attempting a political comeback.

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Notes On Slovenian Recognition of Palestine (Part 6, Finale)

After a day of tense politics, procedural manoeuvering in the parliament and dubious life choices in general, Slovenia last night recognised the State of Palestine.

Flag of Palestine was raised in front of the foreign ministry as Slovenia established formal diplomatic relations, despite Janez Janša doing everything to stop the vote in the parliament.
Palestinian flag was raised in front of the foreign ministry

Predictably, however, the more the debate dragged on, the less it was about Palestine and the more it was becoming about domestic politics, electoral soundbites and pure brinkmanship.

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Notes On Slovenian Recognition of Palestine (Part 5)

In an inexplicable bout of na¨ivete, pengovsky really did expect Slovenian recognition of Palestine to actually happen this time around. Well, not so fast, said Janez Janša.

Slovenian recognition of Palestine is once again bogged down in parliamentary procedure.
Recognition of Palestine is once again bogged down in parliamentary procedure

The recognition will still likely happen, but probably not before the EU/referendums vote on Sunday. And oddly enough, there is a non-zero chance this somehow ends up helping Robert Golob.

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Notes On Slovenian Recognition of Palestine (Part 4)

On Thursday, PM Robert Golob announced Slovenia will recognise the State of Palestine. Technically, a formal act by the parliament establishing diplomatic relations is still needed. But as the ruling centre-left coalition has a comfortable majority, this will most likely not be a problem.

The Ljubljana Castle was lit up in the colours of Palestine after Robert Golob annouced the recognition of the state.
Ljubljana Castle was lit up in Palestinian colours the other day (source)

Thus, come Tuesday, weeks of foreign policy enthusiasm followed by carefully scripted walk-backs will come to an end. And Muddy Hollows will finally establish top-level diplomatic relations with the remnants of West Bank and Gaza.

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Notes On Slovenian Recognition of Palestine (Part 3)

Well…


(source)

In a completely predictable (and, indeed, predicted) turn of events the much-hyped initiative to recognise Palestine by Slovenian foreign minister Karl Erjavec unceremoniously petered out earlier today as the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs failed to vote on the motion, thus freezing the entire process and for all intents and purposes killing it.

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