The announcement was made by the Croatian Presidency in a statement released on May 18, 2026.
The statement said, “President Zoran Milanović will never approve Israel’s ambassadorial request in our country because he disagrees with Israel’s policies.”
Croatia also accused Israel of breaking diplomatic protocol by announcing its ambassadorial representative before the Croatian president had officially approved the appointment.
The statement further noted that President Milanović would not change his decision even if Israel attempted to pressure him publicly or through political channels.
The term of the current Israeli ambassador to Croatia, Gary Koren, is expected to end at the close of May.
While the Croatian government has not officially approved a new Israeli ambassador, Nisan Amdor, who currently serves as Chargé d’Affaires at the embassy, is expected to assume the position temporarily since that role does not require presidential approval.
Relations between President Milanović and the Israeli ambassador in Croatia had reportedly deteriorated after Gary Koren made comments about the Iran embassy in Croatia, alleging that it was filled with Iranian spies.
Those remarks prompted President Milanović to summon him for clarification regarding what he had said and why he made the statements.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, said the Croatian president’s comments reflected hostility toward Israelis and Jewish people.
Milanović is among the world leaders who have frequently criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, where many people have been killed.
