Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has refused to approve Israel's nominee for ambassador to Croatia, Nissan Amdur, citing the policies of Israel’s current authorities, including military actions in Gaza, as his reason for rejection [1, 2, 3]. Milanovic made the announcement public on May 18, 2026, stating, "The proposed Ambassador of the State of Israel has not received, nor will he receive, the consent of the President of the Republic" [1].
This marks the first time in Croatian history that a president has withheld approval of an ambassador, breaking long-standing diplomatic precedent [1, 2]. The Israeli ambassadorial appointment has been stalled for seven months since Israel formally requested approval in November 2025 [2]. Despite the refusal, Nissan Amdur will serve as charge d'affaires in Croatia, a diplomatic position that does not require presidential consent [1, 2].
Milanovic also suspended all cooperation between the Croatian Armed Forces and the Israeli army in May 2025, citing Israel’s "unacceptable conduct" and "unprecedented violation of all norms of international humanitarian law" following military actions in Gaza that have caused over 72,700 deaths and more than 172,700 injuries since October 2023 [1, 2]. Since the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire, over 877 people have been killed amid ongoing clashes [2]. Milanovic said, "Because of the unacceptable conduct of the Israeli army and the unprecedented violation of all norms of international humanitarian law, I have already in May last year ordered the termination of all cooperation between the OSRH and the Israeli army" [2].
The Croatian presidency issued a statement that any public or political pressure will not change Milanovic’s decision to withhold consent to the ambassadorial appointment [3]. The president emphasized that granting or withholding ambassadorial approval is a sovereign constitutional right [1, 3].
Israel reportedly announced Nissan Amdur’s name before securing Croatia’s presidential consent, which broke an unwritten diplomatic protocol [1, 3]. The current Israeli ambassador Gary Koren is expected to complete his term by the end of May 2026, leading to a vacancy that Amdur will fill only as charge d'affaires [1, 2].
