Activists slam Croatian government over business deal with Israeli energy company

By Talha Ozturk

SARAJEVO (AA) – Activists gathered in the Croatian capital Zagreb on Thursday to protest against the government for making a business deal with an Israeli company, citing Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

According to local media, activists from the Green Action organization assembled in front of the government building to oppose the cooperation agreement with Israel’s Enlight Renewable Energy, which develops solar and wind power projects, demanding that the deal be canceled.

The activists argued that the Croatian government’s cooperation with the Israeli firm amounted to supporting the genocide in Gaza.

During the protest, activists placed children’s toys, storybooks, and shoes painted red in front of the government building.

They also unfurled a large banner reading: “End cooperation with Enlight Renewable Energy! Don’t support genocide!”

Marija Mileta, a representative of Green Action, said Croatia should comply with United Nations rules and that the government has a responsibility to ensure Israel is punished for genocide.

The activists further claimed that Enlight Renewable Energy has cooperated with the Israeli army for many years and profits from genocide and occupation.

Earlier in September, Croatian President Zoran Milanovic refused to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar during his official visit to Zagreb, citing Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza.

Milanovic said on social media that he did not understand why Saar had been invited and why Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman, and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic chose to meet him. He stressed that such a visit was unacceptable while Israel’s “genocide against the people of Gaza” continued.

At the end of August, Milanovic also urged the government to initiate a parliamentary process to recognize Palestine, calling it the only path to establishing lasting peace in the Middle East.