Key facts
- Slovenia's new government has revoked a ban on the export, import, and transit of weapons and military equipment to and from Israel.
- The Defence Ministry stated that existing national defense laws and EU arms export criteria are sufficient.
- The decision reverses policies of the previous center-left government, which had imposed the ban and entry bans on Israeli officials.
- The government stated the move aims to open political communication and strengthen Slovenia's role in Middle East peace efforts.
- The previous administration had recognized a Palestinian state and imposed entry bans on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and two ministers.
Slovenia's new conservative government has abolished an entry ban on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and two of his ministers, alongside lifting a ban on arms trade with Israel. The government, led by Prime Minister Janez Jansa, stated that existing national defense laws and EU arms export criteria are sufficient to regulate such trade.
The move marks a significant policy shift from the previous center-left administration under Robert Golob, which had been a vocal critic of Israel within the European Union. Golob's government had recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 and subsequently imposed entry bans on Netanyahu, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in 2025.
The Jansa government indicated that scrapping these punitive measures is intended to open political communication and strengthen Slovenia's role in achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. The government cited the importance of "active cooperation" over actions that "limit and close off channels for direct communication."
Shortly after taking office, Jansa's government also removed a Palestinian flag from the government building, a symbolic gesture contrasting with the previous administration's policies. Israel had previously announced plans to open an embassy in Slovenia, with diplomatic interests previously covered by its embassy in Vienna.