Israeli Politics · 09 September, 2026 · 3 min read
Israel Opens First Embassy in Slovenia as Prime Minister Janez Janša Warms Ties
Israel opens its first resident embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Diplomatic thaw follows Janša's center-right government returning to power.
Whether the embassy is just diplomacy or also a legal indictment.
6 of 8 outlets skipped it: rosh Hashanah timing is described as symbolically significant by Sa’ar..
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Same story, two versions
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The Times of Israel
“Under nationalist Prime Minister Janez Janša, Slovenia is launching a diplomatic reset of its relationship with Israel”Read the original ↗
Roya News
“has filed a criminal complaint Tuesday with the Ljubljana District Prosecutor's Office and police against ‘Israeli’ Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar.”Read the original ↗
The Media Line and The Times of Israel frame the embassy as a diplomatic reset, while Roya News spotlights a criminal complaint tied to Gaza.
Embassy Opens in Ljubljana
Israel opened its first embassy in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, on Wednesday as diplomatic ties warmed under nationalist Prime Minister Janez Janša, according to The Times of Israel.T
“Israel opened its first embassy in the capital Ljubljana on Wednesday”
The opening ceremony included Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who attended the event as Slovenia launched a diplomatic reset after a previous center-left government described Israel’s Gaza campaign as “genocide,” the Times of Israel said.T
The Media Line reported that the Israeli Foreign Ministry said, “Since taking office, Prime Minister Jansa and his new government in Slovenia have demonstrated their friendship toward Israel through both words and actions,” and it added that Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was scheduled to begin a two-day visit on Wednesday.
The Times of Israel also said the embassy opening came a day after the United Kingdom and other European countries banned imports from settlements in the West Bank, while Slovenia reversed its own ban on imports from the settlements and lifted its arms embargo on Israel.T
ynetglobal said Sa’ar inaugurated the embassy in Ljubljana alongside Slovenian Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer and called it “the first resident embassy in Slovenia, it is indeed a historic day.”
Protests and Competing Narratives
The embassy opening drew opposition inside Slovenia, with thousands gathering under heavy police presence to march through central Ljubljana and carry banners reading “We stand together for peace and Palestine” and “Genocide is not self-defence,” The Times of Israel reported.T
Urska Breznik, a 48-year-old art historian, told AFP that the Jansa administration was “a collaboration government,” while Melina Sahernik, a 65-year-old pensioner, said, “This makes Slovenia look very bad,” according to The Times of Israel.T
The Media Line framed the shift as Israeli support for Slovenia within the European Union, quoting the Israeli Foreign Ministry statement that praised Jansa’s “friendship toward Israel through both words and actions.”
Al-Monitor reported that Saar lauded Slovenia for “the friendship you have shown when it comes to Israel,” and it said Saar told a press conference that “Slovenia... has stood and is standing with Israel when it matters.”
Roya News said the Hind Rajab Foundation filed a criminal complaint Tuesday with the Ljubljana District Prosecutor's Office and police against ‘Israeli’ Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, timed to his expected attendance at the embassy opening on Sep. R9–10.
Legal Complaint and Wider Stakes
Beyond the ceremony, Roya News said the Hind Rajab Foundation’s complaint argues that Sa’ar bears responsibility for incidents and policies including the siege and attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, the detention of the hospital's director, Dr. RHossam Abu Safiyeh, and restrictions on food, water, fuel, and medical supplies entering Gaza.
““No official, no matter how senior, stands above the law.””
Roya News quoted HRF director general Dyab Abou Jahjah saying, “No official, no matter how senior, stands above the law,” and it added that “The opening of an embassy must not become a ceremony of impunity.”R
The Times of Israel described how Sa’ar inaugurated the embassy Wednesday during his first official visit to the country, with his ministry describing Jansa as a “friend of Israel,” and it quoted Sa’ar telling the press conference, “Israel remembers its friends. TAs you have stood with us, we will stand with you.”
WTVB, citing Reuters, said the embassy opening marked a warming sign of relations after Janez Jansa formed a centre-right government following elections in March, and it noted that protests were scheduled against the opening on Wednesday evening by student movements, a left-wing political opposition party and pro-Palestinian groups.
The Media Line also reported that Foreign Minister Gideon Saar would sign a memorandum on cultural cooperation during his visit and would head a delegation of Israeli businessmen seeking to expand economic ties, linking the diplomatic reset to concrete agreements.