Slovenia’s new PM vows to nix Palestinian state recognition, open embassy in Jerusalem

Israeli leaders praise Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša after he pledged to relocate his country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and to reverse the previous government’s decision to recognize unilateral Palestinian statehood.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli ministers praised Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša after he said his new government would relocate Slovenia’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and freeze Ljubljana’s recognition of a Palestinian state, marking a sharp reversal in the small European Union member state’s policy toward Israel.

Janša made the pledge in an interview with Israel Hayom, saying his government would undo decisions taken by the previous Slovenian administration under Robert Golob, which recognized Palestinian statehood and imposed a series of measures against Israel during the Gaza war.

“We will uphold the law and freeze their illegal decision,” Janša said of the Palestinian-state recognition. “We raised this as a condition for our participation in the coalition negotiations, and everyone agreed.”

Janša also said Slovenia and Israel face similar strategic and political challenges, including “terrorism, extremism, the erosion of national identity, and growing geopolitical pressures.”

“Instead of distancing themselves from one another, they must increase cooperation. Israel is not Europe’s problem; it is one of its most important allies,” he said.

The pledge drew immediate praise from Jerusalem.

Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen congratulated Janša on what he called the “right and important decision to revoke Slovenia’s recognition of a Palestinian state and to move Slovenia’s embassy to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel.”

“This is a step that reflects true friendship and standing on the right side of history,” Cohen said.

Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli called Janša a “true friend of Israel,” saying the embassy move would make Slovenia the first European Union member state to place its embassy in Jerusalem.

The move would represent one of the most dramatic pro-Israel shifts by an EU country in recent years. Most European states maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv, arguing that Jerusalem’s final status should be resolved through negotiations. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, while the Palestinians seek east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

Janša’s government has already begun reversing Slovenia’s recent anti-Israel measures. Earlier this month, Ljubljana lifted an arms embargo on Israel, revoked entry bans on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and ended restrictions connected to Israeli goods from settlements.

Slovenia’s Defense Ministry said the arms ban was no longer necessary because arms trade is already governed by Slovenian law and European Union rules. The previous government had imposed the embargo in 2025, saying Slovenia was the first EU country to take such a step against Israel.

The policy reversal follows Janša’s return to power for a fourth term after Slovenia’s parliament approved his right-leaning government earlier this month. His administration took office after a polarizing election and has moved quickly to repair relations with Jerusalem.

Israel has also moved to upgrade ties with Ljubljana. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced after Janša formed his government that Israel would open its first embassy in Slovenia, another sign of the diplomatic reset between the two countries.

The new direction contrasts sharply with Slovenia’s position under Golob, when Ljubljana recognized a Palestinian state in 2024, backed tougher EU action against Israel and imposed restrictions on Israeli officials and defense trade.

Janša’s decision is likely to deepen political divisions inside Slovenia, where foreign policy toward Israel and the Palestinians has become a highly partisan issue.

His Slovenian Democratic Party opposed recognition of Palestinian statehood when it was advanced by the previous government, arguing that voters should have been consulted in a referendum.