On Sunday, Israel announced the appointment of its inaugural resident ambassador to Slovenia, marking a significant shift in diplomatic relations following a leadership change in Ljubljana. Previously, the relationship faced difficulties under the former center-left government led by Robert Golob, who had labeled Israel’s Gaza military actions as genocide.
However, the arrival of conservative Prime Minister Janez Jansa has fostered improved cooperation. The Israeli foreign ministry revealed that Ruth Cohen-Dar, who previously served as a non-resident ambassador for Slovenia and Malta, will now assume the role of the first permanent diplomat stationed in the country. This follows the establishment of an Israeli embassy in Slovenia last month.
The ministry stated that this diplomatic advancement stems from the new administration under Jansa, describing him as a friend of Israel. Under this new leadership, Slovenia has canceled an arms embargo, lifted travel restrictions on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and select cabinet members, and retracted a ban on imports originating from Jewish settlements within the West Bank. Furthermore, the administration removed a Palestinian flag that had been displayed on the government headquarters since the nation’s 2024 recognition of Palestinian statehood.
