The WJC is the first major international Jewish organization to visit Slovenia since the opening of the Israeli Embassy in Ljubljana

A high-level delegation from the World Jewish Congress (WJC) visited Slovenia on September 17, 2026, meeting with Prime Minister Janez Janša and senior members of his government. This visit marks a new chapter in relations between Slovenia, Israel, and the global Jewish community, following the opening of Israel's first permanent embassy in Ljubljana and the appointment of Ruth Cohen-Dar as the country’s first permanent Israeli ambassador. The WJC delegation was the first major international Jewish organization to visit Slovenia after these developments. The group included Sara Friedman, executive director of the WJC for Israel and North America; Hadassa Getsztain, chair of WJC Israel; Maya Samokovliya, executive director of WJC for community relations; and Ernest Herzog, executive director of WJC operations and head of areas combating antisemitism, intelligence, and security. The WJC represents Jewish communities in over 100 countries and has long emphasized the importance of ties with Israel, security, and the dignity of local Jewish communities. This visit follows a previous WJC trip to Slovenia in April 2024, during which high-ranking officials from the then-government declined to meet with Jewish leaders. During that visit, representatives of the WJC left an event at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) early after a high-ranking official attempted to link the global Jewish community to responsibility for the war in Gaza. Such behavior contradicts the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which Slovenia adopted in 2018. In recent years, Slovenia's small but historically significant Jewish community has faced vandalism, threats, and intimidation. These concerns have intensified since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, including incidents targeting the Jewish Cultural Center and Jewish cemetery in Ljubljana, as well as threats against members of the Jewish community. Friedman stated that the presence of the WJC delegation in Slovenia immediately after the opening of the Israeli embassy underscores the significance of this moment for both Israel and Slovenia, as well as for Jewish communities worldwide. She noted that Prime Minister Janša demonstrated the importance of opposing anti-Israel bias and clearly stating that friendship with the only Jewish state should not be abandoned under pressure. Janša highlighted the importance of the Jewish community in Slovenia, despite its size, emphasizing its role as a vital part of Slovenian society and cultural heritage. He reiterated Slovenia’s unequivocal condemnation of antisemitism in all its forms and commitment to prevention efforts. According to the WJC, the Jewish community in Slovenia has encountered vandalism, threats, and intimidation in recent years, with conditions worsening after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The conflict in Gaza, according to data from the Health Ministry led by Hamas, resulted in more than 73,000 deaths. Friedman added that Janša showed the importance of standing against anti-Israel bias and clearly stating that friendship with the only Jewish state should not be abandoned under pressure. She believes this marks the beginning of a significant new chapter in relations between Slovenia, Israel, and the Jewish world. It is also important that American-Jewish business leaders and investors visit Slovenia, experience the country firsthand, and see why it is such a great place for building partnerships and developing new opportunities. Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, is an American billionaire who previously owned the Slovenian company Pro Plus, the parent company of POP TV and Channel A through his firm CME.