The rapid opening of the embassy in Slovenia - and the connection to the Czech Republic: "It could not stay alone"
Israel's first embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia, was established in three months in a temporary location, following a commitment by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. The move was intended to strengthen the Czech Republic against pressure in the European Union, after Slovenia transformed from a rival to a strong friend of Israel.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar inaugurated Israel's first embassy in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, on Wednesday, established in a record time of three months in a temporary location. The temporary embassy will serve for several months until a permanent embassy is moved to a higher floor in the same building. The move was intended to strengthen the Czech Republic, which according to a senior political source "would not have withstood the pressure alone" in the European Union. Slovenia transformed from a rival to a strong friend of Israel after the political upheaval in the country, canceling anti-Israeli decisions of the previous government, including a ban on Israir flights, revocation of recognition of a Palestinian state, and removal of the Palestinian flag from the Foreign Ministry building. The source noted that Israel "must pay a seriousness fee to Slovenia" and Sa'ar ordered the strengthening of relations with full force. The embassy opening was approved by security authorities on the condition that there would be no overlap between the temporary and permanent embassies. A senior Foreign Ministry source rejected claims that Sa'ar acted out of political considerations ahead of elections.