BRUSSELS 

Slovenia on Tuesday criticized Israeli state institutions for failing to provide justice and due process after the killing of a Palestinian human rights defender by an illegal Israeli settler in the occupied West Bank.

In a statement on X, Slovenia’s Foreign and European Affairs Ministry said the "brutal murder" of Awdah Hathalin last week has highlighted institutional failures by Israeli authorities to hold the perpetrator accountable.

"The attack by an #EU-sanctioned violent settler has not been prosecuted. Moreover, the state interfered with the organisation and location of the funeral," the ministry added.

Calling for justice and accountability, Slovenia demanded that Hathalin's body be immediately returned to his family, the remaining residents of the Um al-Kheir community be released from detention, and all restrictions related to his funeral be lifted. It also called for an independent investigation into the case.

Since October 2023, Slovenia said, over 30 Palestinian communities have been forcibly displaced from Area C of the occupied West Bank by violent Israeli settlers, "with state support."

Slovenia reiterated its backing of EU sanctions against violent settlers and said it has also imposed a national travel ban on Israeli government ministers who "promote terror."

"The Israeli authorities have the responsibility to provide justice and protection to the Palestinian civilians, prosecute the illegal settlement activity and respect #IL regarding annexation," it added.

Since the start of Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, at least 1,013 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7,000 injured in the West Bank by Israeli forces and illegal settlers, according to the ministry.

In an advisory opinion last July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.