Saar's visit and the embassy opening are the latest signs of a diplomatic about-turn under Jansa, who is embracing Israel as a chill sets in between it and much of the rest of Europe.The pivot by Jansa, who has long been at loggerheads with the European Union and who took power for a fourth time earlier this year, is a sharp contrast with the previous centre-left government, which described Israel's campaign in Gaza as "genocide".Speaking alongside Slovenian Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer during his first official visit to the country, Saar lauded Slovenia for "the friendship you have shown when it comes to Israel"."Slovenia... has stood and is standing with Israel when it matters," Saar told the press conference ahead of the inauguration later Wednesday."Israel remembers its friends. As you have stood with us, we will stand with you."Defying the EUAsked whether he expected Slovenians to help Israel relocate Palestinians from Gaza, Saar said Israel was "not planning to expel or to deport anyone from (the) Gaza Strip".
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa says he is 'normalising Slovenia's foreign policy' © Jure Makovec / AFP
If someone wants to leave Gaza "from his own will, and there is a country which is ready to accept him, as it happens from any conflict area in the world, we will not oppose that," he said.The opening of the embassy comes a day after the United Kingdom and other European countries provoked Israeli fury by banning imports from settlements in the occupied West Bank.It is the latest in a series of moves by European governments grappling with growing international condemnation of Israeli policies towards Palestinians. But in Slovenia, Jansa has instead received Israeli accolades for defying the EU over the West Bank settlements.Under him, Slovenia has vetoed an EU statement condemning the settlements, reversed its own ban on imports from the settlements, lifted its arms embargo on Israel and scrapped entry bans on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and two of his ministers.Jansa has said his government was "only normalising Slovenia's foreign policy and fixing the damage" caused by liberal ex-prime minister Robert Golob.Slovenia's foreign ministry on X described the embassy opening as "an important milestone in relations".'Collaboration government'Not all Slovenians are on board, however.Thousands gathered under heavy police presence to march through central Ljubljana to pass the hotel where the opening inauguration took place.
