Slovenia announced it will ban all weapons trade with Israel over the war in Gaza, becoming the first European Union country to impose such a measure, The Times of Israel reported.

The Slovenian government said the move was necessary as “people… are dying because humanitarian aid is systematically denied them,” and criticized EU inaction due to internal divisions. It added that no arms export permits have been issued to Israel since October 2023.

An Israeli official dismissed the ban as symbolic, saying, “We don’t buy so much as a pin from them.”

The announcement follows Slovenia’s prior recognition of a Palestinian state and its ban on two far-right Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, from entering the country.

During a visit to Jerusalem, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned Israel could face diplomatic isolation.

He urged renewed talks toward a two-state solution and met with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who said global recognition of a Palestinian state has hardened Hamas’s stance in ceasefire negotiations.

Read more at The Times of Israel.