Full Breakdown
Renewed Diplomatic Engagement Between Israel and Slovenia
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: WJC Delegation Visits Ljubljana
A senior World Jewish Congress (WJC) delegation met Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša and senior officials in Ljubljana on Thursday, marking the first visit by a major international Jewish organization since Israel opened its resident embassy in Slovenia on September 9, 2026. The delegation was led by Sara Friedman, CEO of the WJC for Israel and North America, and Hadassa Getsztain, chair of WJC Israel, and included executives Maya Samakovlija and Ernest Herzog.
Background & Context
Prime Minister Janša returned to office for a fourth term in May 2024 and has pursued closer ties with Israel after strained relations under former premier Robert Golob. The embassy inauguration was conducted by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Slovenian Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer, and the two governments signed a cooperation program covering education, science, culture, youth and sports through 2030. Israel appointed Ruth Cohen-Dar as its first resident ambassador to Slovenia; she previously served as non-resident ambassador to Slovenia and Malta and headed the foreign ministry’s department on antisemitism and Holocaust remembrance.
Official Statements & Responses
The delegation welcomed the diplomatic outreach and urged Janša’s government to appoint a formal special envoy for combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.
Tensions Over the Gaza Conflict
During talks with Slovenia’s delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, WJC representatives walked out after a senior Slovenian official allegedly held the global Jewish community responsible for the war in Gaza. The WJC said the incident underscored ongoing security concerns for Slovenia’s small Jewish community, which has faced vandalism, threats and intimidation at the Jewish Cultural Center and cemetery in recent years, especially after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
Data & Statistics
- The World Jewish Congress represents Jewish communities in more than 100 countries.
- Slovenia’s Jewish population remains small, with incidents of antisemitic intimidation reported in the past few years.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There are moments in diplomacy when simply showing up carries meaning,” — Sara Friedman — Sara Friedman, CEO, World Jewish Congress (Israel and North America)