By: Dr Matevž Tomšič
That the mainstream media in Slovenia operate in a coordinated manner, as if directed from a single centre, was once again evident in the reporting on the recent speech by President Nataša Pirc Musar in the European Parliament. According to reports, the president allegedly received a “standing ovation” from Members of the European Parliament for her condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza. This phrase appeared repeatedly across various reports. The message intended was that the president’s remarks about “genocide” were met with broad support in the temple of European democracy. The underlying point they are trying to impress upon us is that the current ruling establishment enjoys great prestige on the international political stage.
Of course, this was once again a case of manipulation. It is true that some Members of the European Parliament applauded and stood up when the Slovenian President stated that genocide was taking place in the West Bank (sic!) – she later corrected herself, claiming it was a slip and that she meant Gaza. But the applause came almost exclusively from MEPs of leftist orientation: the far left, socialists, greens, and quasi-liberals such as Slovenia’s own Freedom Movement (who are essentially socialists dressed up as liberals). In other words, a clear minority! Some MEPs even protested at her statements or walked out of the chamber. So, it is far from true that the president’s speech received universal approval. On the contrary, it clearly divided the European Parliament.
In terms of substance, the president’s remarks brought nothing new. They merely continued a distinctly one-sided approach to the situation in the Middle East, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hostility toward Israel was typical of the Yugoslav communist regime and remains characteristic of today’s Slovenian left. Under the current government, this stance has intensified, largely due to the ideological radicalism propagated by the smallest ruling coalition party, Levica, which is nonetheless quite vocal and enjoys strong support from NGOs and the media.
The claim that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza is entirely ideologically driven. Every war brings suffering, and crimes are committed by all parties involved. Israel is no exception. However, one must recognise that its assault on Gaza was provoked by Hamas terrorists’ incursion into Israeli territory, which was followed by the massacre of over a thousand people – Israelis and foreign nationals alike. It is hard to argue that Israel’s armed forces are acting more ruthlessly than those of other countries in comparable operations, or that they intend to wipe out the Palestinians altogether (which is what genocide literally means). After all, Israel completely withdrew from Gaza in 2005. If it intended genocide, would it have done so?
In recent years, anti-Israeli sentiment has been gaining ground across Europe. This is reflected in the political arena as well. Several countries – mainly those with left-leaning governments – have taken a clear pro-Palestinian stance in the current Gaza conflict and demanded that Israel halt its military operations. However, such demands “play into Hamas’s hands,” enabling it to retain power. The fact that a portion of territory is controlled by terrorists whose declared goal is the destruction of a neighbouring state fundamentally undermines the possibility of lasting peace in this volatile region.
The current ruling elite in Slovenia imagines that its views on the Middle East are supported not only by the majority of its citizens but also by most of European politics. Moreover, emphasising these international issues provides a convenient distraction from domestic problems the government is failing to address effectively. At the same time, this posturing appeals to the government’s supporters from the radical left. But when it comes to solving international problems, this government is about as effective as it is in solving domestic ones.
