Overview
- Israel formally inaugurated its first resident embassy in Ljubljana on Sept. 9, 2026, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar attending the opening and Ruth Cohen‑Dar named as the first resident ambassador.
- Saar and Slovenian Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer signed a cooperation memorandum on education, science, culture, youth and sport and an Israeli business delegation took part in an economic forum to boost trade and investment.
- The opening follows a rapid policy reversal by Prime Minister Janez Jansa's government that rescinded the previous administration's Palestinian recognition measures, removed bans on settlement goods and lifted an arms and entry embargo.
- Hundreds to thousands protested the inauguration in Ljubljana and the opposition Freedom Movement filed an impeachment motion against Jansa and Foreign Minister Kajzer over the shift in Israel policy.
- The move contrasts with recent UK, French and Canadian bans on West Bank settlement imports and is likely to deepen divisions inside the EU while raising questions about Slovenia's diplomatic role and domestic political stability.