Action needed from the Federal Council on Gaza matters
The cities of Biel/Bienne, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, and St. Gallen in Switzerland have joined forces to appeal for action regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The appeal, which was signed by the city councils, urges the Swiss Federal Council to take a stronger stance against the Israeli occupation of Gaza City and the expansion of Jewish settlements in the Palestinian West Bank.
The appeal comes at a critical time, as the UN General Assembly offers a decisive opportunity to mobilize the international community and condemn the actions of the Israeli government. The appeal also mentions the official UN declaration of August 22, which stated that a massive violation of international law is taking place in Gaza.
The cities are urging the Swiss Federal Council to go beyond calls for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza. While the Federal Council has so far focused on these issues, it has rejected measures such as adopting EU sanctions against Israeli settlers or suspending trade agreements with Israel. However, some members of the National Council have called for humanitarian engagement and the condemnation of war crimes.
The cities' appeal is significant given the recent activities of Swiss cities, particularly Geneva and Zurich. Geneva's Council has been pushing for Swiss recognition of the State of Palestine, while Zurich has shown public solidarity with Ukraine. However, no Swiss city has explicitly demanded direct federal intervention in the Gaza conflict.
The cities are appealing to the conscience and commitment of the Confederation to prevent and combat any risk of genocide. They are urging the Federal Council to unequivocally defend compliance with international law and to take concrete actions to deal with the Gaza war. This could include diplomatic calls for ceasefire and maintaining limited military cooperation with Israel while emphasizing humanitarian support in conflict zones.
Countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Belgium have expressed their intention to recognize Palestine as a state under certain conditions, in line with the "New York Declaration" in support of the two-state solution. As a neutral country, Switzerland has a unique opportunity to play a crucial role in facilitating peace talks and promoting humanitarian aid in the region.
This appeal from the Swiss cities is a call for the Federal Council to use its influence to bring an end to the suffering of the people in Gaza and to work towards a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict in the Palestinian territories.
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