Israel Opens First Embassy in Slovenia Amid Shifting European Alliances

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi inaugurated Israel's first-ever embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Wednesday. The mission was established in an unprecedented three months, following an urgent directive from Ashkenazi to his director-general. This rapid establishment is attributed to a significant shift in European alliances concerning Israel.

According to a senior diplomatic source, the political changes in Hungary and the potential fall of Viktor Orban created an opportunity for the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, to push for sanctions against Israel's E-1 construction plan. Slovenia, alongside the Czech Republic, vetoed this initiative. The new embassy aims to support Slovenia and the Czech Republic against increasing European pressure.

Slovenia has recently reversed several anti-Israel decisions made by the previous government. These include revoking recognition of a Palestinian state, removing the Palestinian flag from its Foreign Ministry, canceling an arms embargo, allowing flights from Israir to resume, and rescinding a declaration that declared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a persona non grata. Furthermore, Slovenia has expressed its intention to move its own embassy to Jerusalem.

To meet the tight deadline, the embassy was temporarily set up in an office building in central Ljubljana, with security approval. It will relocate to a permanent, higher-floor office within the same building once available, avoiding double rent payments. A senior Foreign Ministry official dismissed claims that the embassy's opening was politically motivated by upcoming elections, highlighting Ashkenazi's consistent policy of opening six embassies in the past 18 months. The official emphasized that the new mission demonstrates Israel's commitment to its strengthening alliance with Slovenia, stating, "Israel cannot do without Slovenia, and we are going full throttle to advance relations."