Israeli Commerce Office Opens in Banja Luka, Strengthening Ties with Republika Srpska

The Israeli Chamber of Commerce opened an office in Banja Luka, the capital of the Republika Srpska entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on September 6, 2026. Officials stated that this move would deepen ties between Republika Srpska and Israel. The opening occurs amid international criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, including from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other main political entity in the country. Milorad Dodik, the former president of Republika Srpska, has expressed strong support for Israel since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, stating that Republika Srpska supports Israel's right to self-defense. At the opening ceremony, Dodik emphasized the historical connections between the Serb and Jewish peoples, highlighting their shared experiences of suffering. Israel's Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Galit Peleg, noted that the office aims to promote business connections and investment cooperation, although specific details were not provided. Dodik announced plans for a support program for new technologies from Israel and mentioned the potential for significant Israeli investment. Amir Gross Kabiri, an Israeli businessman, was appointed as the office's president. Ana Trisic Babic, acting director of the Office for International Cooperation of Republika Srpska, remarked on the long-standing friendly relations between the two entities, linking them to shared historical experiences. Davor Gjenero, a political analyst, suggested that the office's opening could help address financial challenges faced by Republika Srpska, which is experiencing rising debt. He warned that the cooperation between Republika Srpska and Israel, along with Serbia's growing ties with Israel, could heighten tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, potentially threatening the country's unity and sovereignty. Gjenero also noted that actions by Republika Srpska without coordination with Sarajevo could complicate Bosnia and Herzegovina's dialogue with the European Union regarding its membership aspirations.