Slovenia’s new prime minister takes down Palestinian flag in pro-Israel turn
Janez Jansa began his fourth term as Slovenia’s prime minister by ordering the Palestinian flag removed from the main government building in Ljubljana, where it had flown for two years.
The move, carried out almost immediately after he took office on Thursday, signalled a sharp pro-Israel turn under a leader closely aligned with US President Donald Trump and Israel.
In a post on X on Friday, Jansa said his government would pursue what he called a “responsible” foreign policy “based on facts”, language many read as a coded rejection of Slovenia’s recent anti-genocide stance and its commitment to international law.
Jansa has long defended Israel. He called his predecessor Robert Golob’s recognition of Palestine illegal, backed Israel’s right to attack Gaza and other countries in the region, and repeatedly declared: “We stand with Israel”.
He has also said Slovenia should move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move which would put him out of step with the international consensus and law that the city is occupied.
Israel was quick to welcome the shift.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar thanked Jansa and said Israel would open an embassy in Ljubljana “without delay”.
Golob, who led Slovenia for four years, had repeatedly accused Israel of violating international law and committing “clear genocidal acts” in Gaza. Over 73,500 Palestinians have been killed in the enclave since October 2023.
His government made Slovenia the first European Union state to ban all weapons trade with Israel.
“People in Gaza are dying because humanitarian aid is systematically denied [to] them. They are dying under the rubble, without access to drinking water, food and basic medical care,” Golob said at the time.
“This is a complete denial of humanitarian access and a deliberate prevention of basic conditions for survival. In such circumstances, it is the duty of every responsible state to take action, even if it means taking a step ahead of others.”
Slovenia also recognised Palestine as a state in May 2024, alongside Spain, Ireland and Norway and sanctioned far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, in July 2025.
Slovenia also imposed a travel ban on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Golob said the flag’s removal was the new government’s first act and “says more than a thousand words”, the Slovenian daily, Dnevnik, reported. He said the flag had stood not only for Palestinians, but for justice, dignity, compassion, humanity and peace.
He accused the new government of placing Slovenia on the “shameful page of history”.
Jansa is expected to reverse several of Golob’s measures, including Slovenia’s recognition of Palestine.
