Slovenia turns Israeli ally with new embassy
Under nationalist prime minister Janez Jansa, the EU nation has also reversed its ban on imports from Israeli settlements.
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa has turned his country into an Israeli ally by opening the nation's first embassy in Ljubljana on Wednesday. Jansa, who is facing criticism from the EU, has defied the bloc over its treatment of Palestinians and reversed policies of his previous centre-left government. The new Israeli embassy will be inaugurated by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, with Jansa describing him as a "friend of Israel".
The move comes after the UK and other European countries banned imports from settlements in the occupied West Bank. However, not all Slovenians support the new relationship with Israel, with a poll finding that 56% of the population opposes closer ties. The opposition has also criticized the embassy's inauguration, and rights groups have announced protests against it.
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Also reported by 2 other outlets
- Slovenia turns Israeli ally with new embassy freemalaysiatoday.com
- Slovenia turns Israeli ally with new embassy al-monitor.com
