Israel opens first embassy in Slovenia as new government shifts policy

Israel inaugurated its first embassy in Slovenia on Wednesday, a move that underscores a sharp policy shift in the small European Union nation under its new right-wing government. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar traveled to Ljubljana for the ceremony, calling it a "historic day" after talks with his Slovenian counterpart, Tone Kajzer.

Saar described Israel as "the only democracy in the Middle East and almost the only real and true partner of Europe," and framed the country as a frontline defender of Western civilization. The event drew hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters outside the embassy, demanding its closure.

The opening comes amid growing friction between Israel and some of its traditional allies. Just a day earlier, the United Kingdom banned trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with France and Canada announcing similar steps. Israel reacted angrily and said it would close the British consulate in Jerusalem.

Slovenia's previous center-left government, led by Robert Golob, had been one of Israel's harshest critics in the EU. It recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 and imposed an arms embargo and entry bans on Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But Janez Jansa, who took office in early June, has reversed those measures and removed the Palestinian flag from the government building.

Jansa said his government is working to repair the "enormous" economic damage caused by what he called the "anti-Semitic policies" of the previous coalition. Golob, now in opposition, accused Jansa of steering Slovenia away from international law, and his Freedom Movement party said it would seek to oust the prime minister and foreign minister in parliament.

The policy shift has drawn domestic criticism. Political analyst Andraz Zorko noted that most Slovenians remain either opposed to Israel or neutral. Still, the two foreign ministers signed a cooperation agreement covering education, science, culture, youth, and sport, and a business forum was held in Ljubljana. Previously, Israel's embassy in Vienna handled diplomatic ties with Slovenia.