Israel To Open First Embassy In Slovenia After Right-Wing Government Takes Power

Israel will open its first-ever embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced Thursday evening, just after a new right-wing government took power in Slovenia and days after the country blocked an Israeli plane from landing.

The announcement marks a sharp diplomatic reversal between Israel and Ljubljana. Under Slovenia’s previous government, ties deteriorated after a series of anti-Israel measures, including recognition of a Palestinian state, sanctions on Israeli ministers, an arms embargo, and this week’s refusal to allow an Israeli aircraft to land.

“Today, I am proud to announce that Israel will open its first-ever embassy in Ljubljana,” Sa’ar said.

Sa’ar said the election of Prime Minister Janez Janša “marks a new chapter in relations between Israel and Slovenia.” He said that “after years of the hostility of the previous government- we now have an opportunity to rebuild, strengthen, and deepen a real partnership.”

The previous Slovenian government recognized a Palestinian state and barred Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from entering the country. It also imposed travel bans on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and moved ahead with an arms embargo on Israel.

The latest incident came at the beginning of the week, when Slovenia prevented an Israeli plane from landing in its territory. The flight was forced to land in neighboring Croatia instead, in a move Israeli aviation officials described as political.

Sa’ar framed the embassy announcement as more than a technical diplomatic step.

“An Israeli embassy is more than a diplomatic mission. It is a statement of friendship, dialogue, and a shared belief in freedom, democracy, and security,” he said.

“We are turning today a new page,” Sa’ar added. “When Israel’s friends return to power - Israel returns.”

Janša has long been considered one of Israel’s strongest supporters in Europe. He has criticized Slovenia’s recognition of a Palestinian state and previously pledged to move Slovenia’s embassy to Jerusalem and rescind recognition of Palestine.

Israeli officials are now expected to work with the new Slovenian government to restore relations after years of tension. The opening of an Israeli embassy in Ljubljana would give Israel a permanent diplomatic presence in the country for the first time.