Switzerland adopts wait-and-see approach to Trump Gaza plan
The Swiss foreign ministry is waiting for concrete details about United States President Donald Trump’s stated plan to take control of Gaza, relocate Palestinians and rebuild the area as a resort.
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“We know the approach of this administration towards foreign policy. There are many declarations. What is important for us is to see in the facts what will follow these declarations”, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) spokesperson Nicolas Bideau told Swiss public broadcaster RTS.
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“If these statements are truly followed by concrete facts that have an impact on our values of international law, that have an impact on our policy, then it will be time to take a position. For the moment, we must analyse. It would be wrong to take a position now,” he added.
Mostly negative reactions from around the world have been pouring in after Donald Trump’s declaration that he wanted to “take control of the Gaza Strip.” The US president announced the plan after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.
Mandated by the UN General Assembly, Switzerland is responsible for organising a meeting of the parties to the Geneva Conventions on the conflict in the Middle East.
For the time being, Trump’s remarks do not call this meeting into question, according to Bideau.
“We are in contact with all parties. In our contact with the Americans we will get a feel for what line they will follow on the question of the Middle East and on the question of the occupied territories. For the time being, the conference is maintained.”
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Adapted from French with DeepL/mga
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