Swiss Senate votes in favour of banning Hamas
Switzerland is moving towards a ban on Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Gaza Strip and carried out a major attack against Israel on Oct. 7.
On Tuesday, the Senate tacitly adopted a committee motion calling for the Islamist organisation to be classified as “terrorist”. The House of Representatives will also vote on a similar motion.
+ How easy is it for Switzerland to declare Hamas a terrorist organisation?
Switzerland must adopt a clear position in the wake of the brutal attacks by Hamas. The organisation challenges Israel’s right to exist, argued Swiss lawmaker Werner Salzmann on behalf of the committee. Through its attacks on Oct. 7, Hamas has completely discredited itself as an interlocutor.
Three weeks ago, the government already decided that Switzerland should pass a law banning Hamas. It is following the usual procedure. A draft must be presented to Parliament by the end of February 2024. On Oct. 11, the government decided to classify the movement as a terrorist organisation.
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