The 19th Bled Strategic Forum will be held in the town around Lake Bled, one of Slovenia’s magnificent natural beauties. 180 speakers from 48 different countries are expected to attend this year’s event. Before the forum, a group of activists gathered in the area where the event was planned and organized a demonstration to give a message of support for Palestine.
Participants in this protest, organized by non-governmental organizations, harshly criticized the European Union’s (EU) silence towards Israel. Activists emphasized that the statements made are just “empty” rhetoric unless concrete steps are taken to stop Israel’s attacks on Palestine.
Nada Pretnar from the Palestinian Rights Movement stated that the leaders who came together at the forum met around the themes of democracy and justice. However, Pretnar argued that Israel’s apartheid policies were rewarded with economic, military and political cooperation with these countries.
The demonstrators also reacted to former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who was invited to the forum in Bled. Participants stated that this situation contradicts the fundamental principles of the forum and that the rights of the Palestinian people are ignored.
The theme of this year’s forum was determined as “The World of Parallel Realities”. The event, which will be attended by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as well as leaders of the countries in the region, will be held in Bled between 2-3 September.
