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Problems with the comrades! In an open letter last Friday, 94 comrades – including no political celebrities – called on their federal, cantonal and local politicians to do more to support the Palestinian people. They speak of a ‘massacre’ in Gaza and demand, among other things, that Switzerland resume funding of the controversial UN refugee agency for Palestine, UNRWA, immediately suspend military cooperation with Israel and even impose sanctions against Israel.
Only: Not all social democrats think the same. Zurich’s State Councilor Daniel Jositsch (58) is the only left-wing member of the Swiss-Israeli Parliamentary Friendship Group, which represents the interests of the State of Israel in Swiss politics. He doesn’t think the letter is that important and says: “I don’t share that opinion.”
In an interview with Blick, he now speaks out against his fellow party members who denounce Israel’s “genocidal war”.
Blick: Daniel Jositsch, why do you – like your 94 fellow party members – not condemn the ‘genocidal war’ that Israel is waging in Gaza?
Daniel Jositsch: I reject the term ‘genocidal’ in this context. This is a form of slander. We can’t use it. It is a conflict that started on October 7 with the hostage taking and Hamas’ attack on Israel. If you want to comment on this conflict, I think you should keep a few things in mind: It was Hamas that started this war. To this day, she still holds hostages. And after all, it is the Palestinian people of Gaza that have elected Hamas as their government.
Some will point out that the conflict began before October 7…
That’s a position. Or rather: an apology. Nothing justifies an attack like that of October 7. If you explain the situation with the politics of the past, you can explain everything. That does not help. What helps is to start a conversation about the future. You should know that to this day the Palestinians do not accept the existence of Israel and that their goal is the destruction of Israel. Against this background, I find it somewhat strange when fellow party members now side with the Palestinians and see this as a balanced act that suits the situation.
Are the SP committees doing enough for the Palestinian people on a humanitarian level?
Yes. If there is anything that can be done from Switzerland, it is to find a way to restore peace. To date, Switzerland has provided significant financial support, for example to UNWRA. Now we have seen that this aid organization has very bad tendencies. You should therefore refrain from investing.
The signatories of the letter regret that “Switzerland has not taken binding measures against the State of Israel.” Do you share this opinion?
No absolutely not. That doesn’t help in this conflict. Look: everyone who signed this letter basically rejects the State of Israel. They side with the Palestinians. And thus find excuses to get involved in this situation. It is always the same.
Does the left in Switzerland have a problem with the term ‘terrorism’ when it comes to Hamas?
You should ask the authors of the letter.
You are the only Social Democrat in the Swiss-Israel parliamentary friendship group. What position do you represent there?
Our nonpartisan group notes a trend in politics that is not very balanced on the issue of Israel. For example, the UN makes many decisions against Israel. Other states repeatedly attack Israel. Especially those who are neither democratic nor respectful of human rights. Iran for example. Our group makes it possible to create a counterbalance and safeguard good relations between Switzerland and Israel.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
