Hamas is already registered as a terrorist organization in Israel, the United States, the European Union and many other countries.
With this move, the leadership of Bern is reacting to the attack by extremists that claimed more than 1,200 lives. A working group is currently examining the legal options for banning the radical Palestinian organization. The banning of Hamas was already proposed by the security policy committee of the lower house of the legislature (National Council) on Tuesday.
Switzerland has traditionally been restrained in such decisions. The Alpine country always asserts its neutral status and tries to act as a mediator between the various parties. Bern also made a similar statement on Tuesday, saying it was ready to support efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
At the same time, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis spoke about the fact that after it became clear what Hamas is capable of, the attitude of Swiss diplomacy towards this organization changed.
Banning the organization would mean that those who spread Hamas propaganda could be brought to court in Switzerland.
The jihadist organization Islamic State and the international terrorist organization al-Qaeda have already been banned in the Alpine country.
Cover image: Israeli artillery fires at targets in the Gaza Strip from southern Israel on October 11, 2023. The Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, launched a multi-front attack against Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,200 Israelis, and Israeli counterstrikes against Hamas killed at least 900 people in the Gaza Strip. Source: MTI Photo/Atef Szafadi
