Slovenia could become first EU state with embassy in Jerusalem

Newly elected Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša intends to relocate the country’s embassy to Jerusalem, according to a report by Israel Hayom.

If the initiative is implemented, Slovenia could become the first member state of the European Union to officially establish its diplomatic mission in Jerusalem.

Janez Janša has long been a vocal supporter of closer ties with Israel. As a conservative leader with multiple terms as prime minister, he has consistently backed Israel’s security positions and criticised policies seen as hostile to it.

Under the previous government of Robert Golob, Slovenia took a notably pro-Palestinian stance, including formally recognising Palestine as a state in June 2024 (becoming one of the first recent EU countries to do so) and imposing measures like a travel ban on Israeli officials. This period marked a low point in bilateral relations.

By Jeyhun Aghazada