Israel News
A New Friend in Europe? Israel Opens Its First Embassy in Slovenia
Israel has opened its first-ever embassy in Ljubljana in a ceremony attended by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. The move follows Slovenia's change in government and comes amid warming ties between the two countries.
Janša (Photo: Yonatan Sindel, Flash90)Israel today (Wednesday) opened an embassy in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, for the first time in the history of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The new embassy was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who is currently visiting the country, and opens at a time of significant change in relations between Jerusalem and Ljubljana.
The move comes just months after Slovenia’s change in government and the election of Janez Janša as prime minister in May. Janša, the leader of the right-wing party who has previously served as prime minister, is considered an outspoken supporter of Israel and a friend of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Janša’s positions on Israel differ markedly from those of the previous government. In the past, he described recognition of a Palestinian state as "support for terrorism," promised to move Slovenia’s embassy to Jerusalem, and expressed support for the wars waged by Israel and the United States against Iran.
The political shift follows a period of significant cooling in relations between the countries under former Prime Minister Robert Golob. Earlier this year, his government recognized a Palestinian state, and in another incident, Slovenian authorities refused to authorize an Israir flight to land in the country.
Now, with Janša’s return to the prime minister’s office and the opening of the Israeli embassy, Slovenia may become a new Israeli ally within the European Union. Still, several issues remain on which the new government’s position is unclear.
Among other things, it has yet to become clear how Slovenia will act regarding sanctions currently under consideration, and whether Janša will be prepared to block moves against Israel within the European Union.
Another issue concerns the International Criminal Court, of which Slovenia is a member. At this stage, it is unclear how Janša’s government will handle the arrest warrant issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
