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
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]
