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Netanyahu sees growing ties with the Serb Republic

The election of Siniša Karan “signals a path forward to ever closer friendship and cooperation between Israel & the Republic of Srpska,” said the Israeli premier.

Benjamin Netanyahu and Republika Srpska political leaders
From left: former President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and acting President of Republika Srpska Ana Trivić-Babić, at Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem on Jan. 29, 2026. Photo by Amos Ben Gershom/GPO.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that he expects to see growing ties with the Republic of Srpska following the country’s presidential elections.

“Congratulations to Siniša Karan on your election as new President of the Republic of Srpska,” Netanyahu wrote on X. “This strong vote of confidence in the leadership of the SNSD & former pres. Dodik signals a path forward to ever closer friendship and cooperation between Israel & the Republic of Srpska.”

Republika Srpska, also referred to as the Republic of Srpska or the Serb Republic, was established in 1992 and is one of the two confederal entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the others being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Last month, Netanyahu hosted two Bosnian Serb leaders in Jerusalem and thanked them for their strong support and stance against antisemitism.

Both sides expressed a desire to deepen ties between the countries and to cooperate on various issues.

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