Israeli Embassy near Stevanović, in front of the DZ protesters (PHOTO)

On June 30, 2026, the Israeli ambassador to Slovenia, Ruth Cohen-Dar, visited the President of the National Assembly (DZ), Zoran Stevanović, in Ljubljana. The meeting took place amid heightened tensions over the ongoing conflict involving Israel and its neighbors. According to reports from the National Assembly's website, the discussion focused on the importance of dialogue and cooperation between nations as essential elements for maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity globally. However, Stevanović also expressed deep concern regarding Israel’s actions, which he described as violations of international law, leading to significant civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure in Palestine, Iran, and Lebanon.

The meeting occurred against the backdrop of a protest organized by pro-Palestinian activists who gathered outside the National Assembly before the visit. These protesters condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, carrying Palestinian flags and holding signs with messages such as “Stop genocide in Gaza” and “Disarm Israel.” Their presence underscored the contentious nature of the Israeli diplomatic engagement with Slovenian officials.

During the meeting, Stevanović emphasized Slovenia’s consistent stance since the beginning of the conflict, calling for respect for international law and peaceful resolution of disputes. He reiterated that restoring dialogue remains the only path toward achieving lasting and just peace in the region. Despite these discussions, neither Stevanović nor the Israeli ambassador made public statements after their meeting, leaving much of the conversation unpublicized.

In addition to Stevanović, the Israeli ambassador was received by other high-ranking officials, including the presidents of the parliamentary committees for defense and foreign affairs, Srečko Ocvirk and Franc Breznik. This indicates that the visit had broader political significance within Slovenia’s legislative framework.

Amnesty International Slovenia had previously issued a statement warning that the meeting should not be perceived as support for Israel’s policies, particularly given the organization’s assertion that Israel has been committing genocide, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing. They argued that the only justification for engaging with the Israeli ambassador under current circumstances would be a call to halt the genocide, prevent further international crimes, and hold responsible parties accountable.

This visit follows an announcement by Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sar earlier in the month that Israel will open its first embassy in Ljubljana. Ruth Cohen-Dar, who has served as Israel’s non-resident ambassador to Slovenia since July 2025, is now making her official debut in this capacity. Her appointment comes at a time when Slovenia is considering shifting its diplomatic representation from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that Prime Minister Janez Janša reportedly hinted at in a recent interview with the Israeli newspaper *Israel Hayom*.

However, Stevanović has publicly opposed this shift, stating that his party, Resnica, does not support moving Slovenia’s embassy to Jerusalem, arguing that such a decision would be inconsistent with international legal practices. This divergence highlights the complex interplay between domestic politics and international relations in Slovenia.

As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of this diplomatic encounter remain unclear. The meeting could either serve as a step towards fostering dialogue and understanding between Slovenia and Israel or exacerbate existing tensions, especially given the strong opposition from pro-Palestinian groups and organizations like Amnesty International. With both sides expressing concerns about each other’s actions, the future of bilateral relations and Slovenia’s position in regional diplomacy will likely depend on how these issues are addressed in the coming months.