Palestine–Switzerland relations

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Palestinian-Swiss relations
Map indicating locations of Palestine and Switzerland

Palestine
Switzerland

Switzerland–Palestine relations refer to foreign relations between Switzerland and the State of Palestine. The Swiss government does not recognize the existence of a Palestinian state.

Switzerland has a representative office in Ramallah.[1]

History[edit]

Before 1948, Switzerland was represented in The British Mandate of Palestine by a consulate in Jerusalem and a consular agency in Jaffa, which was specifically opened in 1927. In 1975, the Palestine Liberation Organization opened an office in Geneva. The Palestinian President made an official visit in March 2015. He then met with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga to discuss the Palestinian reconciliation.[2] In January 2022, Switzerland announced its abandonment of the Geneva Initiative and declared the need to redefine its Middle East strategy.[3]

In 2020, Swiss national Philippe Lazzarini was appointed head of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).[4]

In November 2023, Switzerland stopped funding 11 human rights organization in Israel and Palestine in response to Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October.[5] Ignazio Cassis, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the creation of a taskforce on the Middle East headed by Maya Tissafi.[6] Switzerland maintained contact with Hamas and does not classify it as a terrorist organization.[7] It also informs Israel of its ties with Hamas.[7] Parts of Switzerland banned pro-Palestinian protests.[8][9]

Following the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, Switzerland banned Hamas.[10] It announced further bans on people supporting or funding Hamas would be enacted.[10] Switzerland also announced the complete stopping of funding for three NGOs under review but continued fundings for eight others.[10] The Swiss parliament voted to stop funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).[11] It was passed by the lower house but blocked by the upper house.[11][12]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Representative Office of Switzerland Ramallah". www.eda.admin.ch. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ "Swiss phase out funding for Geneva Initiative". SWI swissinfo.ch. January 26, 2022.
  4. ^ "It helps to be Swiss, says new boss of Palestinian refugee agency". SWI swissinfo.ch. 2020-05-31. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  5. ^ "Switzerland Decides to Suspend Funding for Rights Defenders in Israel, Palestine | Human Rights Watch". 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  6. ^ Keystone-SDA (2023-10-10). "Switzerland creates taskforce on Middle East". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  7. ^ a b "Israeli-Palestinian war revives Hamas debate in neutral Switzerland". SWI swissinfo.ch. 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  8. ^ "Israel-Palestine Hostilities Affect Rights in Europe | Human Rights Watch". 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  9. ^ Keystone-SDA/dos (2023-10-21). "Hundreds turn out for unauthorised pro-Palestine rally in Zurich". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  10. ^ a b c "Switzerland moves to ban Hamas and supports Israel's self-defence". euronews. 2023-11-23. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  11. ^ a b "Swiss parliament rejects move to cut funding for UN agency for Palestinian refugees". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  12. ^ "To cut or not? Swiss parliament divided on UNRWA aid". SWI swissinfo.ch. 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
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