Croatian President Rejects New Israeli Ambassador Over Gaza Policy

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic refused to approve Israel’s new ambassador to the country, citing “the policies pursued by the current Israeli authorities,” his office said Monday.

Milanovic, a vocal critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, will not consent to the proposed ambassador, according to a statement from his office.

“The proposed Ambassador of the State of Israel has not received, nor will he receive, the consent of the President of the Republic Zoran Milanovic,” the statement read.

Milanovic said he had refrained from public comment until now to respect diplomatic norms, but argued that Israel violated an “unwritten rule” by announcing its pick before receiving presidential approval.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it is working with Croatian counterparts to “resolve the matter of the status of Israel’s next ambassador in Zagreb,” according to a statement carried by the Times of Israel.

Tensions between Croatia and Israel have escalated amid Israel’s military operations in Gaza and across the Middle East.

In February, Milanovic announced that Croatian armed forces personnel would not cooperate with the Israeli military “due to their unacceptable actions and unprecedented trampling of” international humanitarian law.

In March, he condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, warning that efforts to force regime change in Tehran could cause “economic damage” and long-term consequences.

Nissan Amdur was slated to replace Ambassador Gary Koren, whose term ended in May. Amdur will now serve as charge d’affaires in Croatia, a role that does not require presidential approval, according to Ynet.

A source familiar with the matter described Milanovic to the outlet as a “problematic political figure who in the not-so-distant past made clearly anti-Israel and antisemitic remarks.”

This marks the first time in Croatian history that a president has withheld consent for an ambassador, the report said.

Milanovic stated that “granting or withholding of consent for proposed ambassadors is a sovereign right of” the president.

Milanovic, in office since 2020, belongs to a left-wing party with views that diverge from the conservative, pro-Israel government.

Though his powers are limited, confirming ambassadorial appointments falls within his jurisdiction.