Protests erupt in Ljubljana as Slovenia opens Israel embassy

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, leader of the nationalist Slovenian Democratic Party, announced a diplomatic realignment with Israel on Monday, restoring full ambassadorial representation and pledging closer security cooperation after a two‑year hiatus. The policy shift follows Janša’s criticism of Israel’s handling of the Gaza conflict and his government’s earlier decision to downgrade relations in 2022. In response, a coalition of human‑rights groups, opposition parties and student organizations organized demonstrations in Ljubljana, accusing the prime minister of abandoning Slovenia’s traditionally balanced foreign‑policy stance and of endorsing policies that contravene international law.

The protests intensified after the parliamentary opposition filed a motion to impeach Janša, citing alleged abuse of power and the unilateral reversal of foreign‑policy decisions without parliamentary approval. The impeachment bid, which requires a two‑thirds majority in the National Assembly to proceed, has drawn attention from European Union officials urging restraint and dialogue. While Janša defended the reset as a sovereign decision aimed at strengthening economic and security ties, the controversy underscores growing domestic polarization over Slovenia’s role in regional and global diplomatic affairs.