The Federal Council is of the opinion that this option is the best solution to respond to the situation in the Middle East that has prevailed since October 7th.
The Swiss federal government has decided to ban the activities of the Palestinian terrorist movement Hamas on its territory with a law submitted to parliament, it said in a statement on Wednesday.
“This law will provide federal authorities with the appropriate tools to combat possible Hamas activities or support for the organization in Switzerland,” the government said in the press release. The Federal Council (government) “decided to develop its own law to ban Hamas. He believes that this option is the best solution to respond to the situation that has prevailed in the Middle East since October 7 and the unprecedented attacks by the terrorist movement on Israeli territory. Four days after this attack, which claimed 1,200 lives on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, and around 240 hostages, the Federal Council had already considered classifying Hamas as a terrorist organization.
In addition, Justice Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider stated that “no Swiss funds should be used by NGOs to support the actions of Hamas.” Banks and other intermediaries are obliged to uncover and inform about possible activities by Hamas and its affiliated associations in Switzerland.