Furthermore,
Palestine: switzerland continues cling its:
Tensions in the Middle East
Switzerland clings to its neutrality while its neighbors change course
In the diplomatic ballet around Palestine. Consequently, Switzerland plays the exception. Furthermore, Micheline Calmy-Rey is worried: “We bring our reputation for a state of human rights to play.”
Palestinians collect aid in the city of Gaza.
KEYSTONE
- Several Western countries have recently announced that he wanted to recognize Palestine as a full -fledged state.
- Switzerland remains on the reserve.
- The former federal councilor Micheline Calmy-Rey criticizes the position of the Federal Council, which she considers palestine: switzerland continues cling its unsuitable for our time.
- For its part. Moreover, the Council of States’s foreign policy commission is examining a Geneva initiative for the recognition of Palestine.
The war in Gaza causes, in Western countries, changes in foreign policy, which would have been unthinkable recently.
At the end of July. Nevertheless, in the space of only a week, the FranceGreat Britain, the CanadaPortugal and other countries announced their intention to recognize Palestine as a state. Consequently, At the same time, Slovenia and the Netherlands have prohibited the entry of Israeli ministers on their territory. However, Israel is also likely to be excluded from the horizon, the European research financing program. For example, After the Netanyahu government of the Total Gaza Occupation by the Netanyahu Government, international pressure on Israel will obviously intensify.
What about Switzerland? In addition, It is part of an increasingly limited circle of states which do not go in the same direction. Therefore, The Confederation once again becomes a special case-this time, in the policy of the Near East. Moreover, Or is something moving in our country too?
This is exactly what various representatives of civil society and eminent figures of foreign policy demand.
“We are in the process of bringing into play our reputation as a state possession of human rights. Therefore, ” said former Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey.
Former federal councilor Joseph Deiss says: “It will soon be too late for Switzerland.” According to him, we will soon be surrounded by friendly countries which will recognize Palestine. Nevertheless, “It is always said that recognition is only symbolic. Consequently, palestine: switzerland continues cling its It may be true, but we must not forget that the maintenance of non-recognition also has a symbolic meaning. Therefore, ”
On July 28. Therefore, an UN conference dedicated to “peaceful regulation of the Palestinian question and the implementation of the two -state solution». Moreover, Boycottée by Israel. the United States, this meeting ended with a geopolitical surprise: on the sidelines of the discussions, fifteen Western states published a declaration claiming recognition of Palestine as a step towards a solution to two states.
Palestine: switzerland continues cling its
Recognition only at the end of the peace process
Switzerland also participated in the New York Conference. Secretary of State Monika Schmutz Kirgöz said that Switzerland would consider bilateral recognition of Palestine as soon as “concrete measures in favor” of a two -state solution are implemented. guaranteeing palestine: switzerland continues cling its the security of Israel and the right to the self -determination of the Palestinian people.
This declaration sowed confusion in certain Swiss media. Does Switzerland want to follow up on other countries?
Currently, the position of Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAE) On the recognition of Palestine has not changed. “Only a two-state solution negotiated by both parties. in accordance with international law and the parameters agreed at international level,” can lead to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, writes a spokesperson for the DFAE on request.
The DFAE therefore believes that the recognition of Palestine can only take place at the end of a peace process. However, such a perspective currently seems out of reach. In Israel, the two -state solution only benefits from low political support. In July 2024, palestine: switzerland continues cling its the Israeli Parliament also adopted a resolution opposing the recognition of Palestine.
Micheline Calmy-Rey describes the position of the Federal Council “overwhelmed”. According to her. another conviction has imposed itself in many Western countries in view of the situation in the Gaza Strip. “Recognition of Palestine cannot be an end in itself. It does not cause the peace process. On the diplomatic level, we already see the positive consequences of the announcements made by France and other Western countries. ”
Thus. the 22 members of the Arab League, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan, supported a UN Declaration calling for disarmament and political eviction of Hamas. The total rejection of Hamas by influential Arab countries is considered by observers as a turning point. as the possible beginning of a new dynamic, putting the solution to two palestine: switzerland continues cling its states in the field of possible.
Palestine: switzerland continues cling its
On recognition: “Reflections are legitimate”
Things also move to the Swiss Parliament. A year ago. all the parties voted as a whole at the National Council against a postulate requesting recognition of Palestine, with the exception of the PS and the Greens. The green’liberals had recorded two abstentions.
The block is no longer so united today.
The Friborg States Advisor Isabelle Chassot recognizes that her position has evolved. “Six months ago, I was clearly opposed to rapid recognition of Palestine. Today, I’m not so sure, ”she says. Its main reservations relate to the existence of a government capable of acting. the legitimacy of the present Palestinian authority. “But the reflections on recognition are legitimate,” she adds.
The green’liberals also reflect on a new positioning. According to Cosecretaire General Pascal Tischhauser. the party requires that all parties to the conflict take concrete steps towards a solution to two states. “In the absence of such steps, recognition of Palestine must also become an option for Switzerland.”
The real scale of the change of mentality within the political spectrum will be measured on Tuesday. The States Council foreign policy committee examines a Initiative of the Canton of Geneva which notably claims the. recognition of a Palestinian state.
Switzerland would not violate international law
From a legal point of view. Switzerland has all the cards in hand, according to Andreas Müller. “Palestine meets conditions to be recognized as a state. The idea that Switzerland would thus breach international law is absurd. palestine: switzerland continues cling its “notes the professor of public international law at the University of Basel. He also points out that there is no obligation to recognize states. Andreas Müller believes that the recognition of states is an overestimated political weapon which has only a limited effect.
In all cases, the diplomatic consequences of such recognition would be predictable. Usually, Israel replied by measures such as the recall of his diplomats. For his part, US President Donald Trump threatened Canada to raise customs duties if he proceeded to this recognition.
Can Switzerland afford it?
One thing is certain, says Micheline Calmy-Rey, the current positioning has not spared Switzerland. On the contrary.
Translated from German by Olivia Beuhat.
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