The dramatic warming of relations between Jerusalem and Ljubljana reached a new high with the inauguration of the Israeli Embassy in the Slovenian capital. At a ceremony attended by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and his Slovenian counterpart, Tone Kajzer, the two countries ushered in a new era of cooperation and openness.
In an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom, Kajzer spoke about the positive momentum. "We had a very productive day," the Slovenian foreign minister said. "We achieved much more than we had planned in our meetings with the Israeli delegation."
"We didn't talk about solving the conflict in the Middle East, but about how we rebuild our good friendship," Kajzer said, making the country's new diplomatic priorities clear. From now on, he said, relations between the two countries would be "open, strong and based on trust."
To give the warming ties practical substance, representatives of the two countries signed cooperation agreements covering education, youth, sports and scholarships. A large Israeli business delegation also traveled to Slovenia and took part in a joint economic forum.
From sanctions to a warm embrace
The approach of Slovenia's current government, led by Prime Minister Janez Janša, represents a complete reversal. The previous government in Ljubljana displayed open hostility toward Israel, canceled direct flights and declared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu persona non grata. That government also made Slovenia the first European country to independently prohibit the trade and transfer of weapons to and from Israel. Since the new government was sworn in in June, however, the previous restrictions have been rescinded.
The embassy opening was accompanied by protests and sharp media criticism, but Kajzer was undeterred. "There are people who oppose renewing relations with Israel and say that I should be removed from my position, that I support genocide because I treat Israel as a friend," he said.
According to Kajzer, the critics are being fed propaganda. "They say many other things that are far removed from reality. These are people who don't really know what is happening in Israel, and they are victims of disinformation and manipulation," he said. "I'm happy that Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar came to Slovenia and that Israel opened an embassy here," Kajzer said, explaining his approach. "We don't necessarily agree on everything, but even in families, when there are disagreements, you sit down, talk and think together about how to reduce tensions."
Kajzer said unequivocally that boycotts were not the answer. "Israel is a democratic country, and we believe that in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, imposing sanctions, boycotts and threats will not lead to the peace that we all hope for. Dialogue, yes," he said.
Pushing back against EU pressure
On the international stage, Slovenia is now emerging as a strategic defender of Israel within European Union institutions. That position has prompted attacks from European countries that have rushed to label Ljubljana "the new Hungary" in an attempt to exert political pressure. "For us, the European Union is also like a family, and we don't have to agree on everything," Kajzer said in response to criticism within Europe. "Slovenia is a sovereign country with an independent opinion, and if someone acts against us solely because of our position on Israel, that is not the kind of behavior we expect from our family in the European Union."
The Slovenian foreign minister made clear that his country would not be intimidated. "There are those who call us 'the new Hungary' to frighten us, but we are independent and stand firmly by our position," he said. "Our message is that Israel is a friend and a democratic country, and with friends you need to have dialogue."
Kajzer also recalled the two countries' longstanding ties. "Israel was one of the first countries to recognize us, and the younger generation ignores that fact, has forgotten it, or simply doesn't know it," he said with disappointment.
A new strategic asset for Jerusalem
The deepening friendship with Slovenia is expected to yield immediate diplomatic dividends for Israel in its diplomatic battles in Europe. Because some proposed punitive measures against Israel require full consensus within the European Union, consistent Slovenian opposition could thwart tough decisions against Jerusalem.
Slovenia's addition to the pro-Israel camp represents a clear diplomatic victory for Israel's Foreign Ministry. Sa'ar, who marked a personal milestone with the inauguration of his fifth new embassy in the past year and a half, made no attempt to hide his excitement. "In a moving ceremony, together with my friend and colleague Tone Kajzer, the Foreign Minister of Slovenia, I inaugurated the Embassy of Israel in Slovenia just an hour ago," Sa'ar said. "This is the fifth new Israeli embassy within a year and a half. We have friends in Europe and around the world, and we must strengthen relations and cooperation with them."
