Israeli commerce office deepens ties with Republika Srpska
The Banja Luka office will promote business and investment cooperation, but proposed Israeli projects and a technology programme remain unspecified.
The Israeli Chamber of Commerce has opened an office in Banja Luka to promote business and investment cooperation with Republika Srpska, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s two main political entities.
The office opened last week, with an official ceremony attended or addressed by Milorad Dodik and Israel’s ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Galit Peleg. Israeli officials said the office would connect businesses and support investment cooperation, without detailing its functions or planned projects.
Republika Srpska authorities said they would establish a programme supporting new Israeli technologies and promoted the possibility of significant Israeli investment. No information was provided on the programme’s structure, projects or funding.
The initiative reflects Republika Srpska’s strong support for Israel since the Gaza war began in October 2023. The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country’s other main entity, has criticised Israel’s conduct in Gaza, making the commercial initiative politically sensitive.
Dodik has backed Israel’s stated right to self-defence and opposed initiatives to recognise Palestine. He was stripped of office and barred from political activity after being convicted for refusing to comply with decisions by the international envoy overseeing the peace agreement that ended Bosnia’s 1990s war.
Analyst Davor Gjenero said cooperation with Israel could help Republika Srpska address serious financial problems, including rising debt. He also warned that activity pursued without coordination with Sarajevo could increase tensions between Banja Luka and Sarajevo and complicate Bosnia and Herzegovina’s dialogue with the European Union.
