Israel Opens Embassy in Slovenia Amid Thawing Relations

Israel inaugurated its first-ever embassy in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, on Wednesday. The opening ceremony was attended by Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, who is currently visiting Slovenia. Relations between Israel and Slovenia had cooled significantly in recent years under former Prime Minister Robert Golob, whose government recognized a Palestinian state and whose authorities denied landing permission to an Israeli airline.

However, relations have improved since Janez Janša, leader of the right-wing SDS party and a former prime minister, was elected to lead the government in May. Janša, a declared supporter of Israel, an admirer of former U.S. President Donald Trump, and a friend of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has previously called recognition of a Palestinian state "support for terrorism." He has also pledged to move Slovenia's embassy to Jerusalem and supports U.S. and Israeli efforts against Iran.

Slovenia could become a new ally for Israel within the European Union. However, its stance on current EU sanctions and whether it will act as a bloc against EU consensus, similar to Hungary's Viktor Orbán, remains unclear. Slovenia's membership in the International Criminal Court also raises questions about Janša's position regarding the arrest warrant issued for Netanyahu.

Recent reports also indicate Slovenia has called for Israel's removal from Eurovision 2025 and may ban Prime Minister Netanyahu from entering the country.