Key facts
- Israel is developing ties with Republika Srpska, a Serb-run entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Zeljka Cvijanovic, a member of Bosnia's presidency, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
- The meeting featured the flag of Republika Srpska alongside the Israeli flag, prompting a diplomatic protest from Bosnia's Foreign Ministry.
- Analysts suggest Israel aims to gain international allies and dilute European unity on the Palestinian issue.
- Republika Srpska's leadership sees Israel as a strategic partner and a potential conduit to the U.S. White House.
- Historical ties between Israel and Serb nationalists include alleged Israeli support during the 1990s Bosnian War.
Israel is forging closer ties with Republika Srpska, the Serb-run entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, as it seeks international allies amid global criticism of its actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Zeljka Cvijanovic, a member of Bosnia's tripartite presidency and leader of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), recently visited Israel, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. The meetings drew criticism due to the display of Republika Srpska's flag alongside Israel's, bypassing the official Bosnian flag, which led to a diplomatic protest from Bosnia's Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic.
Analysts suggest that Israel hopes to gain international support and dilute European unity on the Palestinian issue. For Republika Srpska's leadership, particularly Milorad Dodik, Israel is perceived as a crucial partner and a potential gateway to influence within the U.S. administration, especially after the U.S. lifted sanctions on Dodik and his allies. This strategic alignment has potentially overshadowed Russia's traditional role as a key international partner for the entity.
Commentators draw parallels between Republika Srpska and Israel, citing shared narratives of ethno-nationalism and historical contexts of ethnic cleansing. Historical documents also suggest that the Israeli government provided training and weapons to Serb forces during the Bosnian War in the 1990s. Furthermore, arms exports from Serbia to Israel have seen a significant surge since October 2023. Israel's outreach to Republika Srpska follows its earlier recognition of Somaliland, another breakaway region, as it navigates a period of international scrutiny.