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“Israel is not Europe’s problem; it is one of its most important allies,” Janša said.
By United with Israel Staff
Israeli ministers welcomed Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša’s pledge to move his country’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and suspend Slovenia’s recognition of a Palestinian state, describing the move as a major diplomatic victory for Israel.
In an interview with Israel Hayom, Janša said his government would reverse several anti-Israel policies adopted under the previous administration of Robert Golob, including Slovenia’s 2024 recognition of a Palestinian state.
“We will uphold the law and freeze their illegal decision,” Janša said. “We raised this as a condition for our participation in the coalition negotiations, and everyone agreed.”
Janša also emphasized the shared challenges facing Israel and Europe.
“Instead of distancing themselves from one another, they must increase cooperation,” he said. “Israel is not Europe’s problem; it is one of its most important allies.”
The announcement drew praise from Israeli officials.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen called the move “the right and important decision,” saying relocating the embassy to “Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel” reflects “true friendship and standing on the right side of history.”
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli likewise hailed Janša as “a true friend of Israel,” noting that Slovenia would become the first European Union member state to establish its embassy in Jerusalem.
If implemented, the move would represent one of the most significant pro-Israel policy shifts by an EU country in years. While the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, and Paraguay maintain embassies in Jerusalem, European Union member states have continued to keep their embassies in Tel Aviv.
The embassy pledge is part of a broader diplomatic reset since Janša returned to power earlier this month. His government has already lifted Slovenia’s arms embargo on Israel, revoked entry bans on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and ended restrictions related to Israeli goods from Judea and Samaria.
Israel has also moved to strengthen ties. Following Janša’s return to office, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that Israel would open its first embassy in Slovenia, underscoring the renewed partnership between the two countries.
The new government’s approach marks a sharp departure from the previous administration, which recognized a Palestinian state, supported stronger European Union measures against Israel, and imposed several diplomatic and economic restrictions on the Jewish state.
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