I’m glad Slovenia is recognising Palestine at last – but why did my country hesitate for so long? | Ana Schnabl

Our convoluted response to the catastrophe in Gaza leaves a bitter aftertaste

It is common knowledge that we Slovenes are a hard-working, neat but in essence spineless folk. Our favourite pastime is oppressing our fellow citizens, especially our neighbours, peers and co-workers - always putting them into their designated places, preferably somewhere beneath us.

We remain silent, however, when truth should be spoken to power. Oppressing others and staying silent is hard work! Our inability to resist the will of the great and the mighty - our bosses, rulers, domestic or foreign governments - makes us highly corruptible and, therefore, unreliable. It's not a coincidence that Slovenes are usually depicted with bowed heads and clasped hands: those are images of obedience, and obedience is, without a doubt, a calculated behaviour.

Ana Schnabl is a Slovenian novelist, editor and critic