Croatia’s left-wing President Zoran Milanović, who holds anti-Israel views, has reportedly refused to approve the appointment of a new Israeli ambassador in Zagreb for seven months amid policy disputes with his own right-wing government.

Nissan Amdur, who was approved in November to replace Ambassador Gary Koren, will arrive after the latter’s term ends at the end of the month as a charge d’afffairs instead, which does not need the president’s approval, the Ynet news site reported on Monday.

Ynet said Milanović’s refusal to approve Amdor marks the first time a Croatian president has not accepted a foreign ambassador and is a serious breach of diplomatic protocol.

He is also refusing to approve several Croatian envoys amid his dispute with the Croatian government, the report said, including a replacement for Ambassador to Israel Vesela Mrden Korac, who has served for eight years, beyond her set term, Ynet reported.

A source familiar with the details of the issue told Ynet that the refusal to appoint ambassadors is part of an “internal dispute” between the president and the government.

“He is a problematic political figure who, in the not-so-distant past, made clearly anti-Israel and antisemitic remarks,”........

© The Times of Israel