Swiss Politics

Israeli ambassador criticises Switzerland

This content was published on Jan 11, 2009 The Swiss foreign ministry rejected Elgar’s comments, saying Switzerland’s reaction to the events in the Middle East has been “balanced”. It pointed out that it had criticised Hamas’s rocket attacks on Israel in addition to condemning the Israeli reaction as “disproportionate”. In an interview with a Sunday newspaper, Elgar said of the 32 countries –…

Swiss Politics

Widmer-Schlumpf named “Swiss of the Year”

This content was published on Jan 11, 2009 Widmer-Schlumpf, a clear winner with almost 70 per cent of the votes, said she wouldn’t have thought holding the prize, which she said was “for everyone”, would have been possible a year ago. 2008 was indeed a rollercoaster year for Widmer-Schlumpf. In December 2007 she suddenly found herself a cabinet minister after receiving more votes…

Swiss Politics

Swiss march against Israeli offensive

This content was published on Jan 10, 2009 The peaceful demonstration was one of many across Europe on Saturday, a day which saw continued violence in the Palestinian territory. Israeli forces attacked rocket-launching sites and smuggling tunnels and planes dropped leaflets warning of an escalation of attacks in Gaza. Palestinian militants fired at least 15 rockets at Israel. “We abhor any military violence…

Swiss Politics

Political party goes west

This content was published on Jan 10, 2009 The launch in the town of Siders was attended by Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, who is the party’s sole representative in the Swiss cabinet. Widmer-Schlumpf said on Friday evening it was important for the party – which was created in June following divisions in the rightwing Swiss People’s Party – to be represented in French…

Poll gives lead to backers of EU labour deal

This content was published on Jan 10, 2009 The survey, commissioned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation – swissinfo’s parent company – comes as the campaign by political parties, pressure groups and the business community is gathering pace ahead of the nationwide vote next month. Just under 50 per cent of citizens said they were in favour of the labour agreement with the EU…

Swiss Politics

Ceasefire is the aim for Gaza, diplomat says

This content was published on Jan 9, 2009 Ilan Elgar tells swissinfo his country is looking for a long-term ceasefire with the Palestinian territory’s main political force, one that will ensure a peaceful life for Israelis in the southern part of the country. Yet on Friday, Israel rejected a United Nations resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, as jets and tanks again…

Swiss Politics

Current affairs

This content was published on Jan 9, 2009

Mr Chips says goodbye

This content was published on Jan 9, 2009 Zweifel, aged 75, who has just retired from the family firm in Zurich after 50 years, resorted to a number of escapades when he started so that he could outsmart the competition. For example, he would buy their products in shops and replace them with his own. He also “spied” on one competitor’s activities by…

Switzerland calls for impartial Gaza inquiry

This content was published on Jan 9, 2009 In a statement released on Friday, the ministry said it is still calling for an immediate end to the violence and wants an impartial inquiry into possible violations of humanitarian law. Earlier in the day at an extraordinary session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Navi Pillay, the top United Nations human rights official,…

Swiss Politics

Swiss Palestinian “appalled” by Gaza fighting

This content was published on Jan 9, 2009 swissinfo spoke to a Palestinian living in Switzerland about the current situation in the Middle East and how he sees the future. Sami Daher was born in 1959 in Nazareth in Israel. Although he has an Israeli passport, he does not regard himself as an Israeli citizen. “I cannot be an Israeli, an Arab citizen…

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Israeli ambassador criticises Switzerland

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Widmer-Schlumpf named “Swiss of the Year”

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Swiss march against Israeli offensive

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Political party goes west

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Poll gives lead to backers of EU labour deal

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Ceasefire is the aim for Gaza, diplomat says

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Current affairs

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Mr Chips says goodbye

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Switzerland calls for impartial Gaza inquiry

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Swiss Palestinian “appalled” by Gaza fighting

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