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Sa\u2019ar added that he has already instructed Foreign Affairs Ministry Director-General Eden Bar Tal to begin to process of establishing the new embassy and the selection process for an ambassador.<\/p>\n
Israel is planning to open an embassy in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, for the first time, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa\u2019ar<\/a> announced in a post to Twitter\/X on Thursday.<\/p>\n Sa\u2019ar added that he has already instructed Foreign Affairs Ministry Director-General Eden Bar Tal to begin the process of establishing the new embassy and the selection process for an ambassador.<\/p>\n The move has already been approved by the newly reelected Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jan\u0161a<\/a> and the Slovenian parliament.<\/p>\n “The election of Prime Minister Janez Jan\u0161a marks a new chapter in relations between Israel and Slovenia,” Sa’ar wrote. “After years of the hostility of the previous government- we now have an opportunity to rebuild, strengthen, and deepen a real partnership.”<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Jan\u0161a responded to Sa’ar post to X with his own, saying that he is “looking forward to a new era in Slovenia-Israel relations.”<\/p>\n Jan\u0161a was re-elected on May 22. This is his fourth time in the role, having previously served from 2004-2008, 2012-2013, and 2020-2022. Jan\u0161a leads the right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party.<\/p>\n Under Jan\u0161a’s predecessor, Robert Golob, Slovenia became one of the most hostile countries towards Israel, alongside Ireland and Spain. In May 2024, Slovenia announced its recognition of a Palestinian state, and in July 2025, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich were also sanctioned under his government.<\/p>\n Slovenia then imposed a travel ban on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It also imposed an arms embargo on Israel and boycotted the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna due to Israel\u2019s participation.<\/p>\n Jan\u0161a is a long-time supporter of Israel. He condemned Golob\u2019s recognition of Palestine as a state, calling it \u201cillegal.\u201d He has repeatedly supported Israel\u2019s right to defend itself, making statements such as \u201cIsrael has the unequivocal right to defend itself against Hamas\u2019s attacks. We stand with Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n On Tuesday, Sa’ar attended the opening of Israel’s new embassy in Fiji’s capital<\/a>, Suva, 30 years after the previous one was closed.<\/p>\n In a post on Twitter\/X, Sa\u2019ar said the talks focused on strengthening bilateral ties and thanked Fiji<\/a> for its support of Israel in multilateral forums.<\/p>\n “Together with [Police] Minister Ioane Naivalurua, we signed agreements on national security cooperation and diplomatic training,” Sa’ar wrote.<\/p>\n Advertisement The embassy opening follows Fiji\u2019s own decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n Mathilda Heller contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\nSa’ar attends opening of Fiji’s new Israel embassy after 30 years<\/h3>\n
“Today\u2019s historic step reflects our intent to deepen the Israel-Fiji friendship!”<\/p>\n