Lead

Israel has appointed Ruth Cohen-Dar as its first-ever resident ambassador to Slovenia, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations after the election of a pro-Israel government in Ljubljana. Cohen-Dar, currently the Director of the Department for Combating Antisemitism and Holocaust Remembrance, will serve as ambassador to Ljubljana, the capital. She previously held the role of non-resident ambassador to Slovenia and Malta, and has served in diplomatic posts in Washington, Vienna, and Warsaw.

The appointment follows Foreign Minister Gideon Saar's decision to open an Israeli embassy in Slovenia for the first time, a move announced after Janez Jansa's election in May 2026. Saar described Jansa as "a prominent friend of Israel," and said his selection "creates a unique opportunity to advance the bilateral relations between the countries, which have been at a low point in recent years due to the hostility of the previous government in Ljubljana." In a post on X, Saar added: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under my leadership, will act without delay to capitalize on this opportunity."

Coverage Comparison

Both reports from the Jerusalem Post focus on the positive trajectory of Israel-Slovenia relations under Jansa's leadership. The first article, published in late June, highlights Jansa's interview with Israel Hayom, in which he outlined plans to relocate Slovenia's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and reverse the previous government's recognition of a Palestinian state. The second article, published in early July, reports Cohen-Dar's appointment and Saar's announcement of the new embassy, framing it as a response to Jansa's election and his pro-Israel stance.

The two reports complement each other: one emphasizes the political shift in Slovenia and Jansa's commitments, while the other details Israel's diplomatic steps to solidify the relationship. Both use direct quotes from officials, including Saar, Jansa, and Israeli ministers, to convey the mutual enthusiasm.

Key Claims

  • Ruth Cohen-Dar is Israel's ambassador to Ljubljana, Slovenia, and the first-ever resident ambassador to the country.
  • Foreign Minister Gideon Saar decided to open an Israeli embassy in Slovenia for the first time.
  • Janez Jansa is described as a "prominent friend of Israel" by Saar.
  • Jansa plans to relocate the Slovenian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
  • Jansa promised to reverse the previous government's decision to recognize a Palestinian state, which he stated is in violation of Slovenian law. He told Israel Hayom: "We will uphold the law and freeze their illegal decision. We raised this as a condition for our participation in the coalition negotiations, and everyone agreed."
  • Slovenia previously recognized a Palestinian state under its former government.
  • Jansa has visited Israel on numerous occasions, including in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 massacre.
  • Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen congratulated Jansa on his decision, calling it "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." Cohen added: "This is a step that reflects true friendship and standing on the right side of history."
  • Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli called Jansa a "true friend of Israel."

Perspectives

Israeli Government

Israeli officials view Jansa's election as a turning point in bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasized the opportunity to advance ties after years of "hostility" from the previous Slovenian government. Ministers Eli Cohen and Amichai Chikli praised Jansa's decisions on the embassy and Palestinian recognition, portraying them as acts of friendship and alignment with Israeli interests.

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa

Jansa has positioned himself as a strong supporter of Israel, citing shared challenges such as "terrorism, extremism, the erosion of national identity, and growing geopolitical pressures." He has pledged to relocate Slovenia's embassy to Jerusalem and reverse the previous government's recognition of a Palestinian state, arguing that the recognition was illegal. He responded to Saar's post by saying he is "looking forward to a new era in Slovenia-Israel relations."