Switzerland Today
Hello from Bern,
More news from the Middle East today as the first special flights from Tel Aviv land in Zurich and the Swiss government officially classifies Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
In the News: flights from Israel, bearded vultures, and agriculture subsidies.
- SWISS, in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry (EDA), said it has scheduled the third special flight from Zurich to Tel Aviv and back for tomorrow. A special phone number is available for booking the flight. +41 61 582 17 50, which was communicated by the foreign ministry today.
- The Swiss government declared Hamas a terrorist organisation. The foreign ministry will now ensure that funds granted by Switzerland to NGOs in the Middle East do not benefit Hamas. This is not the case at the moment.
- Hundreds of people took part in a solidarity rally for Israel on Tuesday evening in Zurich. It was supported by a broad alliance of Jewish organisations and other associations and included speeches by several local government officials.
- In 2023, the number of bearded vulture offspring in Switzerland was higher than at any time since reintroduction began some thirty years ago. Some 25 bearded vulture pairs successfully raised an offspring, according to the Foundation Pro Bearded Vulture.
- The Swiss government has opened the consultation on agriculture spending. Agriculture is set to receive a total of CHF13.67 billion ($15.13 billion) for the years 2026-2029, 2.5% less than for the period 2022-2025. The government also wants to give more support to adapting agricultural production to the consequences of climate change such as through money for disease-resistant crops.
Bitter-sweet welcome back at Zurich airport for Swiss Abroad fleeing violence in Israel
Good news among the sad news, wrote External linkthe Blick today as hundreds of people arrived on the first special flight operated by SWISS out of Israel.
Zoë Rappaport was among those waiting at the airport for relatives. Her mother was supposed to be in Israel for a month but stayed only a few days. Her mother, Michelle, recounted the experience, saying the sirens are still ringing in her ears. She left Israel with “mixed feelings.” This war, which promises to be long and painful, also leaves her distraught, reported Blick.
Many shared these sentiments – the feelings of fear and the chaos over the last few days. One man said that it was traumatising for his children who had to go into a bunker for safety. The sense of relief but sadness was palpable at the airport write many of the papers. “The question now is what will happen to all those who have to stay in Israel,” wroteExternal link the Jungfrauzeitung.
The second flight will arrive today and a third flight is scheduled for tomorrow. All commercial flights have been cancelled.
Final poll predicts the Greens lose ground but climate change still a priority
Ten days from Swiss elections, the Greens continue to lose ground and could slip below 10% of the overall vote, according to the final election barometer carried out by the Sotomo institute on behalf of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC).
Any losses for the Greens don’t necessarily mean that “green” issues aren’t a priority for voters. Climate change is still the second most important political challenge, even if it has dropped a few percentage points from the last election.
However, the poll shows the topic isn’t mobilising voters like inflation, healthcare premiums and immigration.
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