Early Jewish History
Modern Community
Relations with Israel

Early Jewish History

There are archaeological finds that show Jewish existence in Slovenia since the Roman period. Little is known about Jews in Slovenia during the Second Temple Period. Many Jews, however, escaped the Crusades during the 12th century B.C.E. and emigrated to towns within Slovenia. Jews came from the areas of Germany and Czechoslovakia to avoid the violent mission of the Christians. Jews also came from western European countries such as Italy to avoid the economic depression in the area.

Jews in Slovenia lived rather peacefully for a couple of centuries. By the beginning of the 15th century, however, there were clear conflicts between Jews and the Slovenian government. The regional rulers of Slovenian provinces were resentful of Jewish wealth. They refused to pay back the Jewish moneylenders, and Jews were considered a nuisance among the wealthy nobility. In 1495, the first Jews were expelled from the areas of Carinthia and Styria. The expulsion of Jews from individual territories continued until the last Jews were expelled in 1718.

In 1809, King Charles VI allowed Jews to resettle in the country. His decree was very short-lived, however, and it was countered by Emperor Francis II in 1817. He prevented Jews from resettling in Slovenia, and the prohibition stuck. In 1910, only 146 Jews were estimated to be living in the country. In 1919, the Jews joined with the Jewish community in Zagreb because there were too few Jews in Slovenia. Anti-Semitic sentiments continued to be rampant throughout the Slovenian population. These sentiments and the Holocaust both contributed to the tiny Jewish population in Slovenia at present.

Modern Day Community

Currently, there are approximately 75 Jews living in Slovenia. The majority of the Jewish population resides in the capital of Ljubljana. The community comes from a mixture of Sephardic and Ashkenazi background. In general, the Jewish community in Slovenia has been very inactive since before World War II.

In 1991, civil war broke out in Yugoslavia, among to five major republics. Thousands of Yugoslav citizens, including many Jews, were forced to leave their homes because of the violence. The civil war in Yugoslavia destroyed many Jewish landmarks including famous synagogues and memorials to the Holocaust.

After the civil wars of 1991, the Slovenian Jews rebuilt a Jewish community center. The center's reconstruction has motivated more than one hundred other citizens to again affiliate themselves with other Slovenian Jews. In addition, the community has become large enough that Rabbi Ariel Haddad was appointed as the first Chief Rabbi in Slovenian history. In 2003, Ljubljana opened its new synagogue. Until then, it had been the only European capital without a synagogue.

Today, the Jews living in Slovenia are distanced from the Jewish communities in the former Yugoslavia. There is, unfortunately, no orgranization to connect the communities of Slovenia, Macedonia, Serbia-Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Croatia.

Relations with Israel

Slovenia and Israel established diplomatic relations on April 28, 1992.

According to the Slovenian government website, relations between the two countries are good and traditionally friendly, and have developed in a spirit of constructive cooperation. The two countries have developed a wide range of cooperation, particularly in the fields of economiy, science and culture. These relations provide the basis for developing a long-term partnership.

On June 4, 2024, the Slovenian government approved a decision to recognize an independent Palestinian state. On the same day, the Slovenian Parliament approved the recognition with a majority vote of 52-0 in the 90-member body. This was done following the steps of Spain, Ireland, and Norway from late last month. According to the Slovenian government, this move is part of a broader effort to achieve a cessation of hostilities in the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza, ensure the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and work towards a two-state solution.

In response to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants issued on November 21, 2024, against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Slovenia stated it would comply with the warrants.

On December 21, 2024, it was reported that RTV SLO, Slovenia’s national public broadcaster, has called on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to disqualify Israel from the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, citing the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. While the resolution is largely symbolic, it could inspire similar actions from other broadcasters. RTV SLO’s council considered but rejected harsher measures, such as blacking out Israel’s performance.

On July 17, 2025, following a cabinet session, Slovenia declared Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich persona non gratae. The move targeted the two far-right ministers and barred them from entering Slovenia.

Later that month, Slovenia imposed an embargo on arms exports, imports, and transit to Israel, becoming the first European country to take such action.

In September 2025, Slovenia imposed a travel ban on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing war crimes charges. Slovenian officials framed the ban as a reaffirmation of their commitment to international law, human rights, and consistent foreign policy. They also underscored their calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and more humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

Sources: American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Centropa Quarterly.
ISJM Jewish Heritage Report, Vol. II, nos 3-4.
Slovenia News, (March 4, 2003).
The Encylopaedia Judaica.
The Jewish Encyclopedia “Israel,” Republic of Slovenia.
“Slovenia joins countries moving to recognize Palestine as a state | ANC,” ANC, (June 4, 2024).
“Slovenia votes to recognize Palestinian state,” Times of Israel, (June 4, 2024).
“UK indicates it could arrest Netanyahu on ICC warrant, as Hungary invites him to visit,” Times of Israel, (November 22, 2024).
Roee Daham, “Slovenia urges EBU to disqualify Israel from Eurovision 2025 over Gaza war,” Jerusalem Post, (December 21, 2024).
“Govt declares two Israeli far-right ministers personae non gratae,” STA, (July 17, 2025).
“Slovenia imposes arms embargo on Israel,” Reuters, (July 31, 2025).
“Slovenia imposes travel ban on Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu,” Reuters, (September 25, 2025).

Slovenia Virtual Jewish History Tour