\n<\/p>\n
Netanyahu made the remarks in a post on X, in which he praised Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jan\u0161a for opposing a proposed joint EU statement condemning Israel\u2019s plans to build new housing in the E1 area, east of Jerusalem.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe EU remains silent when Turkey, a NATO member, illegally occupies half of Cyprus, an EU member state. But when the Jewish people want to exercise their historic right to build and live in their ancestral land, the EU is outraged,\u201d Netanyahu said.<\/p>\n
He also thanked Jan\u0161a for what he described as his \u201ccourage and clarity,\u201d arguing that Slovenia, as a sovereign and equal EU member, has the right to determine its own position on the issue.<\/p>\n
The dispute followed an Israeli government decision to issue a tender for more than 1,200 homes in the E1 area.<\/p>\n
The European Union has strongly opposed the plan, warning that construction there could effectively divide the West Bank and further separate East Jerusalem from the rest of the Palestinian territories. The EU considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law.<\/p>\n
Slovenia\u2019s decision not to support a joint statement prevented the 27 EU member states from reaching the unanimity required for a unified position.<\/p>\n
As a result, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas issued a statement on August 23 condemning the Israeli plans, but it was not endorsed by all 27 member states.<\/p>\n
The issue has also triggered political tensions inside Slovenia. President Nata\u0161a Pirc Musar criticized the government\u2019s position, arguing that international law should not be applied selectively.<\/p>\n
Jan\u0161a defended Slovenia\u2019s decision, saying the country is a sovereign and equal member of the European Union and that its consent is required for a unified EU foreign policy position.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu subsequently welcomed Jan\u0161a\u2019s stance, using the dispute to renew his criticism of the EU\u2019s position toward Israel and to highlight what he described as the bloc\u2019s failure to take comparable action over Turkey\u2019s presence in Cyprus.<\/p>\n