Israel to open first-ever embassy in Slovenia as pro-Israel Janša returns to power

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced on Thursday that Israel plans to open its first-ever embassy in Slovenia. He said he had directed Foreign Ministry Dir.-Gen. Eden Bar Tal to begin establishing the embassy and start the process of appointing an ambassador.

“Today, I am proud to announce that Israel will open its first-ever embassy in Ljubljana. The election of Prime Minister @JJansaSDS marks a new chapter in relations between Israel and Slovenia,” Sa’ar wrote on 𝕏, adding that the time had come to “turn a new page” after years of hostility from the Golob government.

The move comes shortly after Slovenia’s parliament approved a new government led by Prime Minister Janez Janša. Ties between Israel and Slovenia had been strained for several years under outgoing Prime Minister Robert Golob.

“After years of the hostility of the previous government – we now have an opportunity to rebuild, strengthen, and deepen a real partnership. 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. We are turning today a new page. When Israel’s friends return to power – Israel returns,” Sa’ar added.

 In a separate statement, Sa’ar praised the new Slovenian leader.

“Janez Jansa is a clear and steadfast friend of Israel, and his election creates a unique opportunity to advance bilateral relations between our countries, which have been at a low point in recent years due to the hostility of the previous government in Ljubljana,” Sa’ar said.

Israel’s decision to open an embassy has already been approved by Janša and the parliament. The new Slovenian prime minister responded to Sa’ar’s post on 𝕏 with the words: “Welcome to Ljubljana. Looking forward to a new era in Slovenia-Israel relations.”

It is Janša's fourth stint as the prime minister of Slovenia. He previously served from 2004-2008, 2012-2013, and 2020-2022, leading the right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party.

Under Golob's government, Slovenia adopted several policies that put it at odds with Israel. In May 2024, it joined Ireland, Norway, and Spain in recognizing Palestinian statehood. Slovenia later withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna after efforts to challenge Israel's participation proved unsuccessful. The government has also backed proceedings at the International Court of Justice concerning Israel and the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Slovenia, alongside Spain and Ireland, also sought, unsuccessfully, to impose EU sanctions on Israel and to suspend or amend the 1995 Association Agreement between Jerusalem and the EU. Then-Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon criticized other European countries for not backing the sanctions against Israel.  

In July 2025, Slovenia became the first European country to impose an embargo on exports, imports and transit of arms to Israel. This happened just two weeks after it declared Israeli government ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata. In September 2025, Slovenia banned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from entering the country.