The president’s office said: “The proposed Ambassador of the State of Israel has not received, nor will he receive, the consent of the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović.
Croatian President Zoran Milanović has refused to approve the appointment of Israel’s new ambassador to Zagreb, citing what he described as the “policies pursued by the current Israeli authorities”.
In a statement on Monday, the president’s office said: “The proposed Ambassador of the State of Israel has not received, nor will he receive, the consent of the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović.”
Milanović, a vocal critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, said he had previously avoided public comment in line with diplomatic protocol.
However, he now argued that Israel breached an “unwritten rule” by announcing its nominee before receiving formal approval.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was coordinating with Croatian authorities to “resolve the matter of the status of Israel’s next ambassador in Zagreb”, according to a statement cited by The Times of Israel.
Relations between Croatia and Israel have become increasingly strained amid the war in Gaza and wider regional tensions.
In February, Milanović said members of Croatia’s armed forces would not cooperate with the Israeli military, citing “unacceptable actions” and alleged violations of international humanitarian law.
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