Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in occupied Jerusalem with the pro-separatist Bosnian Serb president under conditions that pointedly flouted international diplomatic norms. Official coverage of the meeting revealed that the national flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina was completely omitted from the venue, with Israel choosing to display only the flag of the Republika Srpska entity during the high-level talks.

The two leaders agreed to significantly deepen bilateral cooperation, a move that aligns Israel closer with the secessionist-leaning leadership in Banja Luka.

Following the main discussions, the Israeli foreign minister also held talks with the Bosnian Serb delegation, declaring that “Serbs are true friends of Israel.” The foreign minister further injected Israel into Balkan geopolitics by discussing the alleged need to “protect” Bosnia’s Christian minorities, a narrative that intentionally stokes inter-ethnic divisions in the fragile state while cementing alliances with regional separatists.