Around 2,000 demonstrators gathered peacefully outside Israel’s newly inaugurated embassy in Ljubljana on Wednesday, voicing opposition to the country’s policies toward Palestine. The embassy’s opening coincided with a two-day visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who is seeking to enhance bilateral cooperation in economic, educational, scientific, cultural, and sports sectors between Israel and Slovenia.
During the protest, participants displayed Slovenian and Palestinian flags and carried banners while chanting slogans expressing support for Palestine and criticizing Israel. The event drew attention amid ongoing political tensions within Slovenia regarding the government’s stance on Israel.
Earlier on the same day, two center-left opposition parties in Slovenia proposed filing a constitutional charge against Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who leads a center-right government. The opposition accused Jansa’s administration of undermining Slovenia’s sovereign foreign policy by prioritizing Israeli interests. This controversy reflects broader debates in Slovenian politics over foreign relations and Middle East policy.
Slovenia’s recent diplomatic actions highlight the complexity of its position. In late August, the Slovenian government blocked a joint European Union statement condemning Israel’s plans to construct 1,200 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank. This move contrasted with previous Slovenian administrations that took a more critical stance on Israeli policies.
The country’s former center-left government officially recognized the State of Palestine in June 2024. Additionally, in 2025, that administration declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and two cabinet members—National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich—persona non grata, citing their alleged violations of Palestinian human rights.
The inauguration of the first Israeli embassy in Slovenia marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship but underscores the political divisions in Ljubljana over issues related to Israel and Palestine. As Israel seeks to deepen ties with Slovenia, domestic debate within Slovenia continues over how to balance these relations with broader European and international perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.