Slovenia's new government lifts arms trade ban and entry restrictions on Israeli officials

Slovenia's new center-right government, led by Prime Minister Janez Jansa, has lifted an arms trade ban and entry restrictions on Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The move reverses policies of the previous government under Robert Golob, which had recognized a Palestinian state and sanctioned Israeli ministers. The Jansa government will also approve an Israeli embassy for the first time, a move hailed by Israel as a "new chapter" in relations.

Slovenia arms embargo reversal

• ▪The previous arms embargo, introduced in July 2025, exempted military equipment required for Slovenia's security
• ▪On June 11, 2026, Slovenia's new government revoked a 2025 decision that banned the export, transit, and most imports of weapons and military equipment with Israel
• ▪Slovenia's Defense Ministry stated the arms ban was no longer necessary because the arms trade is already governed by national law and European Union rules

Slovenian government transition

• ▪The approval of Janez Jansa's government ended a political deadlock following a March 2026 election that produced no outright majority
• ▪The new policies reverse measures against Israel imposed by the previous center-left government led by Robert Golob
• ▪Slovenia's new center-right government is led by Prime Minister Janez Jansa, whose cabinet was approved by parliament in June 2026

Jansa's pro-Israel policy shift

• ▪Janez Jansa condemned the previous government's recognition of a Palestinian state, calling it "illegal."
• ▪Prime Minister Janez Jansa is a long-time supporter of Israel and has affirmed its "unequivocal right to defend itself against Hamas’s attacks."

Slovenia-Israel diplomatic relations

• ▪Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar hailed Janez Jansa's election as "a new chapter in relations between Israel and Slovenia."
• ▪Under Prime Minister Janez Jansa, Slovenia's parliament approved the establishment of an Israeli embassy in the country for the first time
• ▪Slovenia's new government lifted entry bans on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and two of his cabinet ministers

Golob government's anti-Israel measures

• ▪The previous government under Robert Golob had recognized a Palestinian state in May 2024
• ▪The Golob administration imposed the arms embargo, with Robert Golob stating Slovenia was the first EU country to do so
• ▪The Golob government also sanctioned Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in July 2025 and boycotted the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel's participation