Israel plans to open an embassy in Slovenia as the country’s new government under rightwing leader Janez Janša signals a clear change in foreign policy direction and a sharp break with the approach taken by the previous administration.

Shortly after the confirmation of Janša’s cabinet on June 4, the Palestinian flag was removed from the façade of the government palace in Ljubljana.

The symbolic removal of the Palestinian flag has become a focal point of domestic political debate. The flag had been hoisted in May 2024 under the previous government of Robert Golob, following Slovenia’s decision to recognise Palestine as an independent and sovereign state.

Following its removal, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that Israel will open an embassy in Ljubljana for the first time. The decision comes after decades in which Israel’s diplomatic relations with Slovenia were handled through its embassy in Vienna.

“Excellent call with Slovenia’s new FM @TKajzer (Tone Kajzer). I congratulated him on the inauguration of the new government and on assuming his position as FM. I informed him of my decision to open Israel’s first-ever embassy in Ljubljana as soon as possible. The Minister pledged all the assistance necessary to ensure its swift establishment. We discussed our shared intention to strengthen relations between our countries,” Sa’ar said in an X post.

He added the election of Janša “opens a new chapter in relations between Israel and Slovenia”, adding that years of strained ties under the previous government had created an opportunity to rebuild cooperation.

“After years of hostility from the previous government, we now have the opportunity to re-establish, strengthen and deepen a true partnership. The Israeli embassy is more than just a diplomatic mission. It is an expression of friendship, dialogue and a shared belief in freedom, democracy and security,” Sa’ar said.

Janša, who is known as an admirer of US President Donald Trump and a supporter of Israel, responded on X: “Welcome to Ljubljana. I look forward to a new era in relations between Slovenia and Israel.”

By contrast, Golob’s administration had taken a strongly pro-Palestinian stance, consistently calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, condemning civilian casualties, and expanding humanitarian assistance through UN mechanisms.

Slovenia also aligned itself with countries such as Spain and Ireland in pushing for stronger EU pressure on Israel and recognition of Palestinian statehood.

In response to the flag removal, Golob said the act “says more than a thousand words”, arguing that the previous government’s policy had been grounded in principles of international law and human rights, RTV SLO reported.

Golob further warned that “the first act in the first moment of a new government says more than a thousand words”, calling the development “a sad moment for Slovenia”.

The shift comes against the backdrop of already deteriorating relations between Ljubljana and Jerusalem. Under Golob, Slovenia became one of the most outspoken EU critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, at times describing the situation as genocide, a characterisation Israel strongly rejects.

In September 2025, tensions escalated further when Slovenia banned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from entering the country, citing violations of international humanitarian law. Earlier that year, it became the first EU member state to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel and also banned imports from Israeli settlements in occupied territories.

Golob’s government framed these measures as part of a “rules-based foreign policy” grounded in international law and UN principles. It also increased financial support for the Palestinian Authority, including a €1.2mn contribution through EU mechanisms.

Relations had also extended into cultural disputes. Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTV Slovenia previously warned it could reconsider participation in the Eurovision Song Contest if the European Broadcasting Union did not clarify rules regarding Israel’s involvement.

Slovenia later withdrew from Eurovision 2026 after the EBU confirmed Israel would remain in the competition, citing political and humanitarian concerns.

Israel’s decision to open an embassy in Ljubljana therefore represents not only a diplomatic upgrade, but also a political signal of alignment with the new Slovenian leadership and a reversal of recent tensions that had defined bilateral relations.

Since diplomatic relations were established in 1992, Israel had never before maintained a resident embassy in Slovenia. The new move marks what Israeli officials describe as a “return to partnership”, while in Ljubljana it is already being seen as a symbol of a broader foreign policy realignment.