DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Economy & Trade

Israel to open first ever embassy in Slovenia aimed at 'advancing relations between countries'

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Israel plans to open its first embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to strengthen bilateral relations.
  • The move, approved by Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, aims to improve ties strained by the previous government's hostility towards Israel.
  • This follows Israel's recent opening of an embassy in Fiji and highlights efforts to deepen diplomatic connections globally.

Israel is set to establish its first embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia, a move aimed at advancing bilateral relations between the two countries. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced the plan on Thursday, instructing the Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to begin the process of setting up the new diplomatic mission and selecting an ambassador.

Janez Janša is a prominent friend of Israel. His selection creates a unique opportunity to advance the bilateral relations between the countries, which had reached a low point in recent years due to the hostility of the previous government in Ljubljana.

— Gideon Sa’arExplaining the significance of Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Janša for improving Israel-Slovenia relations.

The initiative has received approval from Slovenia's newly reelected Prime Minister Janez Janša, who is described as a "prominent friend of Israel." Sa’ar stated that Janša's leadership presents a unique opportunity to mend relations that had deteriorated under the previous Slovenian government, which he characterized as hostile towards Israel. This previous administration recognized a Palestinian state in May 2024 and imposed measures such as a travel ban on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and an arms embargo on Israel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs under my leadership will act without delay to capitalize on this opportunity.

— Gideon Sa’arStating the intention to move quickly on establishing the new embassy.

Janša, leading the right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party, is a long-time supporter of Israel. He previously condemned the recognition of a Palestinian state as "illegal" and has consistently supported Israel's right to self-defense. His return to power is seen as a significant opportunity to reset and strengthen the diplomatic ties between Slovenia and Israel.

Israel has the unequivocal right to defend itself against Hamas’s attacks. We stand with Israel.

— Janez JanšaA past statement by the Slovenian Prime Minister supporting Israel's right to self-defense.

This development in Slovenia comes shortly after Sa’ar attended the opening of Israel's new embassy in Suva, Fiji. That event, occurring 30 years after Fiji's previous Israeli embassy closed, focused on enhancing bilateral ties and strengthening cooperation in national security and diplomatic training. The opening in Fiji also followed Fiji's decision to establish its own embassy in Jerusalem, underscoring a broader trend of Israel deepening its international partnerships.

Today’s historic step reflects our intent to deepen the Israel-Fiji friendship!

— Gideon Sa’arCommenting on the opening of Israel's new embassy in Fiji.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog