Israel appoints first resident ambassador to Slovenia

Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday officially appointed its first resident ambassador to Slovenia, one month after announcing the opening of the country’s first embassy in the European nation following a change of government in Ljubljana, AFP reported.

The ministry said the Israeli government unanimously approved Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s proposal to appoint Ruth Cohen-Dar as Israel’s ambassador to Slovenia. She will become the first resident Israeli ambassador based in Ljubljana, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

Cohen-Dar currently serves as Israel’s non-resident ambassador to Slovenia and Malta. She previously headed the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s department responsible for combating antisemitism and preserving the memory of the Holocaust.

Exactly one month ago, Israel announced plans to open its first embassy in Slovenia, describing the move as a sign of improving bilateral relations following the formation of Slovenia’s new conservative government.

Relations between the two countries had been strained in recent years. Slovenia recognized the State of Palestine in June 2024. In April, it joined Ireland and Spain in calling on the European Commission to review the European Union’s association agreement with Israel.

In September last year, the Slovenian government announced it would ban Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from entering the country, citing ongoing proceedings against him at the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In July last year, Slovenia also imposed a ban on arms trade with Israel over the war in the Gaza Strip.

Nationalist right-wing leader Janez Janša, an admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump, was elected Slovenia’s prime minister by parliament at the end of May.