Israel's Foreign Minister received an indictment just before his arrival in Ljubljana, and at the opening ceremony of the embassy, Janša

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar arrived in Slovenia on Wednesday, September 9, for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and economic cooperation with the country. The visit included the opening of Israel’s first resident embassy in Ljubljana, a key event during his stay. Israeli Prime Minister Yoram Lang was expected to attend the ceremony, though he had previously announced that he would be in Oslo attending the funeral of King Harald V of Norway. The visit was accompanied by an economic delegation, with plans for a business forum involving over 50 representatives from companies in both countries. The arrival of Saar coincided with heightened tensions following the formation of the government led by Prime Minister Janez Janša. During a social media post, Janša criticized the previous left-wing coalition's policies, stating that his government was merely repairing the damage caused by leftist extremism. He emphasized that Slovenia was the only country in the region without a resident Israeli embassy, noting that neighboring states such as Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia have them. Janša claimed that his administration was restoring Slovenia’s foreign policy integrity and addressing the economic harm caused by anti-Semitic policies under the previous government. In response to the planned embassy opening, the non-profit organization Fundacja Hind Rajab filed a criminal complaint against Saar with the Slovenian police and public prosecutor. The complaint alleges that Saar is responsible for war crimes, including genocide and torture, committed by the Israeli state against Palestinians in Gaza. The group focuses on prosecuting perpetrators of crimes against humanity and seeking justice for these alleged offenses. Demonstrations against the opening of the embassy were also announced. Students' association Iskra called for a protest under the slogan “No Genocide Embassy,” highlighting that Israel has been carrying out a genocide in Gaza for more than three years, resulting in the deaths of over 100,000 Palestinians, including numerous children. The demonstration received support from the Left Party, which stated that Slovenia does not need or want an Israeli embassy, what it calls a center for laundering the regime’s image, lobbying for new political services, and facilitating operations like Black Cube. During the visit, Saar will meet with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer, who will host him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in education, science, culture, youth, and sports. This agreement builds upon a similar program signed in 2012–2014, extended until 2020. The new program aims to further develop relations between the two countries and enhance mutual understanding among young people. The opening ceremony of the embassy will take place at the Grand Plaza Hotel, where Saar and the economic delegation will participate in a business forum. Over 50 company representatives from both nations are expected to discuss opportunities for strengthening economic ties. However, media access to the event is limited, with some reports suggesting that Israeli businessmen have set conditions for their participation. The visit has sparked controversy within Slovenian civil society, with protests anticipated and legal action taken against Saar. The situation reflects ongoing tensions between Slovenia and Israel, particularly since the change in government. As the embassy opens, the political and social implications of this move continue to unfold.