Croatia Blocks New Israeli Ambassador Amid Deepening Gaza Tensions

Croatian President Zoran Milanović has refused to approve Israel’s proposed new ambassador to Zagreb, citing disagreement with the policies of the current Israeli government.

The decision was announced as relations between several European governments and Israel remain strained over the ongoing war in Gaza and mounting international criticism of Israeli military operations. According to reports, Milanović argued that Israel had also violated diplomatic protocol by publicly announcing the ambassadorial appointment before receiving formal approval from Croatia.

In a statement released by the Croatian presidency, Milanović said the proposed envoy “has not received, nor will receive” presidential consent because of “the policies pursued by the current Israeli authorities.” The Croatian leader, who has repeatedly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, described the move as a sovereign diplomatic decision fully within the authority of the Croatian presidency.

The Croatian president also accused Israel of breaking what he called an “unwritten rule” of diplomacy by publicly naming the ambassador-designate before Zagreb had formally approved the appointment. Under standard diplomatic practice, host countries must first grant official consent before ambassadors are publicly confirmed.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded by saying it was working with Croatian officials to resolve the issue surrounding the status of its next ambassador to Croatia. Israeli media reports suggested that the proposed envoy may instead serve as chargé d’affaires, a diplomatic position that does not require presidential approval.