"No en mi nombre": Manifestantes en el Foro de Bled condenan la política de Janša hacia Israel

On Monday, August 31, 2026, the 21st edition of the Blejski Strateški Forum (Bled Strategic Forum) commenced on Lake Bled, Slovenia. The two-day event brought together heads of state and government, ministers, diplomats, and experts. Prime Minister Janez Janša hosted the gathering, which included leaders such as Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. The forum’s opening speech was delivered by Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer, with Prime Minister Janša set to address attendees during the event. The day began with a small protest organized by Slovenian non-governmental organizations opposing the country's pro-Israel policy under the new government led by Janša. Demonstrators, including representatives from groups such as the Protestna ljudska skupščina and Gibanje za pravice Palestincev, gathered near the venue’s perimeter. They presented a large puppet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, symbolizing their criticism of the government’s alignment with Israel. A smaller puppet of Janša was held by the Netanyahu figure, highlighting perceived political subordination to Israeli interests. Sanja Fidler of the Protestna ljudska skupščina stated that the forum’s “honored guest” should have been Netanyahu, rather than Janša. She criticized the government for failing to uphold Slovenia’s international obligations, particularly regarding sanctions against individuals responsible for war crimes and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Fidler accused the government of prioritizing personal interests over national ones, calling the situation a form of “grand deception.” She argued that Slovenia has become a political pawn for Netanyahu, urging immediate resignation from both the prime minister and his administration, along with early elections. Nada Pretnar of Gibanje za pravice Palestincev condemned the government’s continued cooperation with a state committing genocide. She alleged that Janša had failed to condemn plans for expanding Israeli settlements in occupied territories and had invited architects of violence to Slovenia. Pretnar emphasized the need for Slovenia to maintain sanctions against all involved parties and called for an end to genocide, apartheid, and imperialism. She reiterated demands for Palestinian freedom and justice for all affected. Amnesty International Slovenia (AIS) also participated in the demonstration. Kristina Božič from AIS reminded the public of Slovenia’s international legal responsibilities, particularly its obligation to enforce a weapons embargo on Israel and to continue sanctioning individuals suspected of war crimes. She stressed that failure to uphold these duties would violate Slovenia’s commitments under international law and contradict the nation’s own interests. The protest also highlighted the influence of the intelligence firm Black Cube, whose representatives were previously associated with the Slovenian Social Democratic Party (SDS) ahead of the 2022 elections. A large black cube model was displayed near the lake, symbolizing the firm’s purported role in shaping Slovenian political discourse. Participants questioned how such entities could exert influence over domestic politics and whether this represented a broader trend of external manipulation. As the forum progressed, discussions focused on shaping Europe from its core, with Janša and other leaders engaging in strategic dialogue. The event underscored the complex interplay between regional diplomacy and internal political tensions, with the protests serving as a stark reminder of growing societal concerns over foreign policy direction. The forum will conclude on Tuesday, with further sessions planned to explore European integration and geopolitical challenges.