‘Israel’ opens first embassy in Slovenia as ties warm under new govt

‘Israel’ is set to inaugurate its first embassy in Slovenia on Wednesday, marking a sharp diplomatic turnaround driven by the formation of a center-right government under populist Prime Minister Janez Janša following elections earlier this year.

The move comes as ‘Israeli’ Foreign Minister Gideon Saar arrives for a two-day visit to Ljubljana, where he will meet his Slovenian counterpart Tone Kajzer, sign a cultural cooperation memorandum, and lead a business delegation aimed at boosting economic ties.

The rapprochement follows years of strained relations under the previous liberal government of Robert Golob, which recognized a Palestinian state, banned imports from ‘Israeli’ settlements in the occupied West Bank, imposed an arms embargo, and restricted entry for ‘Israeli’ leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Upon taking office, Janša’s administration quickly reversed those measures, removed the Palestinian flag from a government building, and signaled strong support for ‘Israel’ within the European Union.

‘Israel’s’ Foreign Ministry welcomed the shift, stating: “Since taking office, Prime Minister Jansa and his new government in Slovenia have demonstrated their friendship toward Israel through both words and actions, and have expressed support for Israel within the European Union.”

Earlier, Saar had described Janša as “a clear and steadfast friend of Israel” whose election created “a unique opportunity to advance bilateral relations… which have been at a low point in recent years due to the hostility of the previous government.”

Diplomatic ties between the two countries date to 1992, shortly after Slovenia’s independence, which ‘Israel’ was among the first to recognize.

Until now, ‘Israel’ handled relations through its embassy in Vienna.

The new resident mission, with Ruth Cohen-Dar appointed as the first ambassador, shows the speed of the realignment.

The decision is far from universally welcomed at home.

Protests against the embassy opening were scheduled for Wednesday evening by student movements, a left-wing opposition party, and pro-Palestinian groups.

A June poll by the daily Delo found 56 percent of Slovenians opposed closer ties with ‘Israel’, with only 14 percent in favor.

Critics argue the shift prioritizes political alignment over public sentiment and Slovenia’s earlier stance on Palestinian rights.

The timing is notable. ‘Israel’ faces mounting diplomatic isolation over its policies in the occupied West Bank, including recent import bans on settlement products by Britain, France, Canada and others.

Slovenia’s abrupt reversal—lifting its own settlement goods ban and other restrictions—stands in contrast to this broader European and international pressure amid ongoing concerns about settlement expansion and the humanitarian situation facing Palestinians.