Israel finds new breakaway allies in Bosnia's Serbs Submitted by Mersiha Gadzo on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 15:15 Serbia and Bosnia's Republika Srpska are both strengthening ties with Israel, as recent meetings and arms deals show Zeljka Cvijanovic, the Serb member of Bosnia’s tripartite presidency, meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 22 June 2026 (Social media) Off With Israel ’s international standing severely damaged by the genocide in Gaza , invasion of Lebanon and the war on Iran , it is continuing to develop ties with breakaway regions in search of recognition. The latest of these is Bosnia’s Serb-run breakaway entity, Republika Srpska , with analysts telling Middle East Eye that Israel is hoping to “dilute European unity on the Palestinian issue”.  Zeljka Cvijanovic, the Serb member of Bosnia’s tripartite presidency, recently wrapped up a week-long visit to Israel, where she met with a slew of senior officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.  The meeting spurred a wave of criticism and condemnation. Photos showed Cvijanovic - despite being a member of Bosnia’s presidency - standing next to Netanyahu without any Bosnian flag present .  Instead, it was the flag of Republika Srpska – which, like another new Israeli ally, Somaliland , hopes to become its own sovereign state – that was set up alongside the Israeli one.