Slovenia–Israel relations may improve as former PM Janša moves toward return to power

A political realignment in Slovenia could bring former conservative Prime Minister Janez Janša back into power, potentially altering the country’s approach to Israel after years of strained relations under the current government.

Janša said on Monday he had secured the basis for a governing coalition following the elections two months ago, after incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob failed to form a majority.

Golob’s party won 29 seats in Slovenia’s 90-seat parliament but did not secure enough support to form a government. Janša’s Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), which won 28 seats, is reportedly positioned to lead a 48-seat coalition with external backing.

Janša told Slovenian media that “the conditions are ripe” for a political change in the country. He has also said he would “restore Slovenian values,” and promote “traditional family” values.

A return of Janša would likely mark a shift in Slovenia’s foreign policy, particularly toward Israel. Under Golob, Slovenia has taken a critical stance on Israeli military operations in Gaza following the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 people were taken hostage.

In May 2024, Slovenia joined several European countries in recognizing the “State of Palestine,” a move Israel opposed, saying it undermined efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.

“The government has made a decision to recognize the State of Palestine as an independent and sovereign state within the borders from 1967, or the borders that the parties involved should agree on in a future peace agreement,” Golob said at the time.

The Slovenian government has also supported proceedings at the International Court of Justice involving Israel and the Gaza conflict.

In December 2024, Slovenia’s public broadcaster called on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exclude Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2025, Slovenia joined several European countries in boycotting the contest after Israel was cleared to participate.

"Our message is: we will not participate in the ESC (Eurovision Song Contest) if Israel is there. On behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza," Slovenia’s Broadcasting Council chair Natalija Gorščak said at the time.

"Do not forget that we banned a similar performance by a Russian singer in Ukraine. In 2017, in Stockholm, we opened Pandora’s box when a political song won, and since then, we have been fighting against politics in Eurovision,” she added.

In 2025, Slovenia also imposed a ban on arms trade with Israel over the war in Gaza.

“People in Gaza are dying because humanitarian aid is being systematically blocked,” the government said in a statement.

“In such circumstances, it is the duty of every responsible country to take action, even if this means taking a step ahead of others,” it added.

The arms embargo is largely symbolic, as bilateral arms trade between Slovenia and Israel is minimal.