Switzerland’s former foreign affairs minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, has denounced controversial comments made recently by current foreign affairs minister Ignazio Cassis about the United Nations’ policy on Palestine.
“He has an attitude a bit like Donald Trump, who just tweets whatever thought happens to come to his mind,” Calmy-Rey said on Sunday evening in an interview with Swiss public television, RTSExternal link. She said it was unclear what Cassis hoped to achieve with his comments.
Experts reacted with surprise and consternation to Cassis’s comments, which came after his first official trip to Jordan.
High-level representatives at the United Nations also complained to the Swiss mission in New York and questioned Switzerland’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.
Calmy-Rey, who was Switzerland’s foreign affairs minister between 2003 and 2011, said that the country has long supported UNRWA as well as UN resolutions and their implementation.
“The problem is not UNRWA, the problem is that there is no ongoing peace process. Simply expressing one’s current state of mind on the matter does nothing towards resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” she said.
It was not surprising that Cassis had faced criticism after questioning a policy that had been consistently pursued by the international community for decades, she said.
Calmy-Rey also feared that the remarks would “call into question our credibility as a country that participates in the promotion of peace”.
Giving Palestinians a choice
Peter Krähenbühl, the UNRWA’s Commissioner General, also expressed his surprise that Cassis’s comments “were made following a field visit”.
He praised Switzerland’s “extremely strong, very courageous commitment” to the organisation but criticised Cassis’s remarks strongly.
“These words reduce five million refugees to second-class citizens, denying them their right to dignity,” Krähenbühl said.
Whoever is concerned about the right-to-return issue should “actively engage in the development of a two-state solution which would give Palestinians a choice to settle in a future independent Palestinian state,” he said.
Following the negative fallout from Cassis’ remarks, the Federal Council intervened to reaffirm Switzerland’s commitment to the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA). At the end of May, president Alain Berset confirmed that there is no change in Swiss policy and that the agency would remain a strategic partner for Switzerland.
Berset said UNRWA “plays an essential role for stability in the region and the fight against radicalisation”. He also said that as a donor country it was however legitimate for Switzerland to join the debate on the agency’s future.
More
More
Election of Cassis ‘positive’ and ‘smart’, say papers
This content was published on
Ignazio Cassis has been widely welcomed as the new cabinet minister, especially in Italian-speaking Switzerland.
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Cassis praises Swiss-Israeli relations
This content was published on
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on Sunday called for pragmatic solutions in the Middle East conflict at a “Switzerland-Israel day” in southern Switzerland but also highlighted Swiss-Israeli ties.
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign affairs minister cast UN aid work for Palestinian refugees as a stumbling block to Middle East peace. A Palestinian response.
Women in Switzerland have mixed views on Trump win
This content was published on
Why didn’t Hillary Clinton get elected? A former Swiss female president and some American women living in Switzerland have some answers.
Swiss president moves to calm Palestinian aid outcry
This content was published on
Experts have reacted to Swiss foreign affairs minister Ignazio Cassis’ comments that UNRWA's work is a stumbling block to peace in the Middle East.
This content was published on
The resignation and replacement of a government minister may not be worth more than a shrug of the shoulders in most countries. Not in Switzerland.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.