The situation in Gaza featured prominently at and around the Bled Strategic Forum. The situation was discussed in separate talks with an advisor to the Palestinian prime minister and a former Israeli foreign minister. They presented opposing views on the conflict but agreed a "divorce" is the only viable alternative.

Amal Jadou, senior foreign policy advisor to the Palestinian prime minister, argued that before the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023 a single state giving all citizens equal rights was the best solution, but that is no longer on the table now.

"The only way is a divorce based on international law. We are targeted because of who we are, that's not good for living together in one state," according to her.

She spoke of a consolidation of brutal settler colonialism in the West Bank, formal annexation by Israel of occupied Palestinian territories, and statements by Israeli ministers describing Palestinians as animals.

In the current situation, "the options for Palestinians are genocide, ethnic cleansing or apartheid... We are witnessing all there elements in Gaza and the West Bank," she said.

Jadou urged the international community to abide by international law, which means that Israel must end the occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza strip. Most pressingly, however, a ceasefire is needed in Gaza.

"We've been working with international partners to make sure Israel respects that, but it is not, it is becoming a bully, a pariah state," she said.

Ambassador Amal Jadou, senior foreign policy adviser to the prime minister of the state of Palestine, appears at BSF by videolink. Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Tzipi Livni, former foreign minister of Israel, agreed that divorce is the only way forward. "I believe in two states for two peoples ... This in Israel's interest, and not a favour to the Palestinians."

Livni, who described herself as a political opponent of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, criticised the current Israeli government, in particular the most radical ministers such as Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister.

She said the international community should support liberal forces in Israel like herself, but noted it is a big problem for such forces if Hamas is being legitimised at the same time.

Israel cannot accept Hamas being in charge in Gaza. "I support a two-state solution, but I don+t think anyone here wants the future Palestinian state to be Hamastan," she noted.

"If Hamas stays the regime in Gaza, we are losing a huge opportunity. If they stay in power, they will rearm themselves, we cannot afford that."

In that sense, she said she said all those who want a greater Israel based on religious ideology should be sidelined, but those who are calling for a Palestine from the river to the sea should be ostracised as well.

Commenting on recent massive protests in Israel, she said that the people protesting want to bring hostages back, but that does not mean they will accept the idea that there lives would remain at risk due to Hamas being in charge in Gaza.

Pressed on whether what the Israeli army is doing in Gaza with the civilian population is right, she quickly pointed out that Hamas is using civilians and said Israel was trying to prevent civilian casualties "but during times of war people are paying the price".

Livni was originally scheduled to appear at a panel dedicated to Gaza, but just a few days before the event the schedule was changed, the panel cancelled and the two separate talks put on the agenda instead, billed by organisers as an attempt to bridge differences and face opposing views.

The former Israeli official was also the target of ire by protesters chanting pro-Palestinian slogans in front of the main event venue in Bled, and her appearance was decried by some Slovenian officials, notably from the junior ruling coalition party the Left.

About a dozen people gathered in front of the main venue in Bled as the guests started arriving to protest against the EU's inaction on Israel's violence against Palestinians. They urged concrete measures to prevent deaths, and criticised the government for inviting Livni.

They played recordings of loud explosions and children screaming, chanting "Shame" and "Free Palestine".

"Our message to EU countries and to all BSF participants is that all EU calls for an end of violence are empty until concrete action is taken," said Nataša Posel from Amnesty International Slovenia.

She called for an immediate embargo on arms trade with Israel, a ban on trade in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, and action at the UN to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Arriving at the forum, President Nataša Pirc Musar said inviting Livni was "not exactly fortunate" because "you don't invite someone who denies international law and the UN Charter."

"I've listened to several of her statements, they are very radical. Slovenia is doing exactly the opposite at the UN Security Council - we are striving to find solutions in international law, and [Livni] does not recognise such efforts."