Croatia blocks Israeli ambassador nomination amid diplomatic dispute

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has rejected approval for Israel’s proposed ambassador, citing “policies pursued by the current Israeli authorities,” according to a statement issued by the presidential office on Monday.

The office said the nominee “has not received, nor will he receive” the president’s consent.

The presidency said it had broken with its usual practice of not publicly commenting on ambassadorial nominations after Israel announced the nominee’s name before formal approval had been granted.

It stressed that approving or rejecting foreign ambassadors is a sovereign right of Croatia and falls under the president’s authority, adding that “any public or political pressure” would not change the decision.