Some 1,200 Jews have travelled from around the world to commemorate the August 1897 congress, which took place under the initiative of Theodor Herzl and which set the basis for the future founding of the state of Israel in 1948.
The anniversary events, organised by the World Zionist Organisation (WZO) in cooperation with the Swiss Federation of Israeli Communities (SIG), are happening in various locations: on Sunday various discussions are being held in Basel’s Congress Center, while on Monday, current Israeli President Isaac Herzog will attend a jubilee gala at the historic Stadtcasino, where the 1897 gathering was also held.
Swiss government minister Guy Parmelin is also set to attend on Monday.
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Switzerland’s delicate stances on Israel
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Switzerland, one of the first countries to recognize the state of Israel, is alarmed by the level of violence in Gaza Strip.
The event is subject to large-scale security preparations: up to 700 soldiers from the Swiss army are present, and an 18.5-kilometre airspace radius around the Stadtcasino is closed until Monday night. Security costs are set to run to CHF5.7 million ($5.9 million).
On Sunday afternoon, an authorised demonstration took place in the city, organised by critics of the event who marched under the slogan of “Free Palestine”. Some 300 took part, the Keystone-SDA news agency reported.
Another discussion event about the history of Zionism, due to take place in a cultural centre in the city, had to be moved to the University of Basel – as well as partially online – due to security issues, Basel authorities said earlier this week.
Young undocumented migrants gain easier access to vocational training
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Rejected asylum-seekers and young undocumented migrants in Switzerland will have easier access to basic vocational training from June 1.
Migration: Swiss government wants to shorten reunification period for families
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Family members of people temporarily admitted to Switzerland should in future be able to join them after two years instead of three.
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2023 was a record year for the Rhaetian Railway in several respects. Never before has the narrow-gauge railway in Graubünden, eastern Switzerland, transported so many passengers and cars.
Swiss CFOs much more optimistic despite global uncertainty
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The main concerns of business leaders in Switzerland are geopolitical uncertainty and the important trading partners Germany and China.
Record organ donation in Switzerland despite high rejection rates
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More organ donations were recorded in Switzerland in 2023 than ever before. This was despite a high rejection rate of 58% by surviving relatives.
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Seven years after the death of record-breaking Swiss mountain climber Ueli Steck, his estate is going to the Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern.
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Swiss Jewish leader recalls creation of Israel
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Rolf Bloch was speaking to swissinfo shortly before Israel celebrates its 60th anniversary as a state on May 14. Bloch, who was 18 in 1948, grew up in Bern where he studied law before he joined the family-owned chocolate firm, Camille Bloch. He says he can represent both the Swiss and Jewish point of view…
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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.