The controversial settlements are built on lands occupied by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War. Israeli settlements currently exist in the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in the Syrian territory of the Golan Heights.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
The Swiss foreign ministry says it continues to consider Israel’s settlements in the occupied territories as illegal and an obstacle to peace in the Middle East.
“[The settlements] are illegal under international law, in particular the Fourth Geneva ConventionExternal link. They also constitute a major obstacle to peace and the implementation of a two-state solution,” the ministry said on Tuesday.
It adds that Switzerland regularly calls on the Israeli authorities to cease all settlement activity in accordance with their obligations as the occupying power.
“Switzerland is also committed to a negotiated two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. That is the only solution that can lead to a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”
The Swiss statementExternal link comes in the wake of an announcement by the United States that it no longer considers the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as illegal.
“The recent US declaration does not change the ICRC’s position on the matter,” an ICRC spokesman said.
The international community overwhelmingly considers the settlements illegal based in part on the Fourth Geneva Convention, which bars an occupying power from transferring parts of its own civilian population to occupied territory.
More
More
Switzerland and partners lament end of Hebron observer mission
This content was published on
Five countries, including Switzerland, have protested against Israel’s decision to end the Hebron observer mission.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
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.
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
Swiss review product labels from Israeli settlements
This content was published on
The government rejects proposed import ban on products from Israeli settlements in occupied territories, but agrees to review rules on product labels.
This content was published on
The ministry confirmed it received a letter from the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, urging Switzerland as a depository state of the Geneva Conventions to convene a meeting of the signatory states. Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter said that he explained the procedure to Abbas and that Switzerland had “responsibilities in the context of the Geneva Conventions”.…
This content was published on
A consensus was reached on Wednesday that settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem violated Israel’s responsibilities as an occupying power. The Geneva Conventions govern the rules of war and military occupation. Nations that took part in the one-day conference in Geneva “emphasise that all serious violations of international humanitarian law must be…
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.