Israel has opened its first resident embassy in Slovenia, marking a significant shift in relations between the two countries as Slovenia’s new government moves to strengthen political and economic ties with Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar travelled to Ljubljana for the opening on Wednesday, where he met Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer. The two ministers also signed a cooperation agreement covering education, science, culture, youth and sports for 2026–2030.
The embassy opening represents a major change from the approach taken by Slovenia’s previous center-left government, which had recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 and later introduced measures including restrictions on imports from Israeli settlements, an arms embargo and entry bans on senior Israeli officials. The government of Prime Minister Janez Janša has since reversed those measures and sought closer relations with Israel.
The development comes as Israel faces growing diplomatic pressure from several Western countries over its policies toward Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and the continuing war in Gaza. Britain, France, Canada and other countries have recently announced measures targeting products from Israeli settlements.
Slovenia’s new government has taken a different position, arguing that stronger engagement with Israel can create opportunities for diplomatic and economic cooperation. The two countries are also seeking closer ties in areas including technology, investment, research, agriculture and innovation. A business forum involving Israeli and Slovenian companies was held alongside Saar’s visit.
However, the embassy opening has generated controversy inside Slovenia. Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the new diplomatic mission, while opposition parties criticized Janša’s foreign-policy direction and called for his removal from office.
The policy shift is particularly notable because Slovenia is a member of both the European Union and NATO and had previously been among the European countries taking a more critical position toward Israel.
Israel’s embassy in Vienna had previously handled diplomatic affairs involving Slovenia. The establishment of a permanent mission in Ljubljana is therefore being presented by both governments as a new phase in bilateral relations.
The move highlights the increasingly divided European response to Israel, with some governments strengthening diplomatic pressure while others seek closer engagement.
Swifteradio.com
