Slovenia has voted in a strongly pro-Israel prime minister, marking a striking political shift after Slovenia’s recent hostility towards the Jewish state.
Janez Jansa was re-elected on May 22. This is his fourth time in the role, having previously served from 2004-2008, 2012-2013, and 2020-2022. Jansa leads the right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party.
Under Jansa’s predecessor, Robert Golob, Slovenia became one of the most hostile countries towards Israel, alongside Ireland and Spain. In May 2024, Slovenia announced its recognition of a Palestinian state, and in July 2025, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich were also sanctioned under his government.
Slovenia then imposed a travel ban on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It also imposed an arms embargo on Israel and boycotted the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna due to Israel’s participation.
Jansa’s success – securing 51 votes in the 90-seat parliament – therefore marks a significant change in Slovenia’s political landscape.
Jansa is a long-time supporter of Israel. He condemned Golob’s recognition of Palestine as a state, calling it “illegal.” He has repeatedly supported Israel’s right to defend itself, making statements such as “Israel has the unequivocal right to defend itself against Hamas’s attacks. We stand with Israel.”
Pro-Israel Janez Janša sworn in as Slovenian PM
He has strongly condemned each and every one of Iran’s attacks on Israel and its civilian population.
In October 2024, he said, “We regret that the rockets falling on Israel were also paid for with the help of money ($2 billion) that the Iranian regime laundered in the largest Slovenian state bank, NLB, during the reign of the Tanja Fajon party.”
He has also repeatedly called out antisemitism and terror support within the Slovenian Left and wider society.
Following the antisemitic terrorist attack against the Jewish community in Sydney during a 2025 Hanukkah celebration, Jansa said, “Antisemitism has no place anywhere in the world. Our hearts are with the families of the victims, the global Chabad family, and with the Jewish community in Australia and all over the world.”
Jansa recently wished “Chag Pesach Sameach” to the Jewish community in Slovenia and around the world this Passover.
Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, is a friend of Jansa, and the two recorded a joint video in recent weeks where the new Slovenian leader said: “I send greetings to the residents of Judea and Samaria.”
Jansa has previously said he would move his country’s embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.
While not yet clear, it has been hypothesized that Slovenia may withdraw its recognition of Palestinian independence.
