National Council Committee wants to ban Hamas and investigate sanctions. Switzerland now exchanges information on financial accounts with 104 countries

The committee has submitted two corresponding proposals, various media reported on Tuesday. The texts of the two proposals are available to the Keystone-SDA news agency. According to the media, these were unanimously approved by the committee.

The text of the motion leaves open how the Federal Council should implement the Hamas ban. Last year, a ban failed in the National Council. “A ban on Hamas would jeopardize Switzerland’s commitment to promote and protect human rights,” the SiK-N report on the initiative said at the time. Switzerland is closely involved with Israel and Palestine at a diplomatic level.

Hamas has “completely discredited itself”

After Hamas’s recent attacks on Israel, the mood has changed. The Federal Council and Parliament must now position themselves clearly and set a good example, writes the SiK-N.

“Hamas’ massive attacks on Israel show that Hamas can only be described as a ruthless terrorist organization.” Hamas represents a deeply anti-democratic and anti-Semitic ideology. Hamas has “now completely discredited itself as an interlocutor for peace with its inhumane and radically destructive attacks and justifications.”

Check sanctions

Since this weekend, the SVP, the FDP and the GLP have explicitly spoken out in favor of a ban. A report requested by the SiK-N should now show what concrete consequences a ban would have. The Federal Council should, among other things, consider sanctions against Hamas. This must prevent Hamas from receiving support from Switzerland or from using the local financial system.

Both proposals – motion and postulate – still have to go through parliament. Both councils must agree to the proposal for it to be considered transferred. For the necessary report in the form of a postulate, a yes from the large chamber is sufficient.

Soon a topic in the Federal Council

IS and Al Qaeda are currently banned by law in Switzerland. The ban has already led to convictions for propaganda for the organizations. Under this regulation, anyone who directly or indirectly propagates, supports or otherwise promotes terrorist or violent extremist activities and thus threatens the internal or external security of Switzerland is liable to a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine.

For Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, an approach comparable to that of Al-Qaeda towards Hamas is conceivable. The Federal Council will discuss the issue, Cassis said on Monday. The Federal Council currently lacks the leeway to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization. Now that it has become clear what Hamas is capable of, the attitude of Swiss diplomacy towards this organization is changing, Cassis made clear.

On the day of the high Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, thousands of rockets fell on Israel. Terrorist commandos penetrated far into the interior. Their targets were mainly civilians in cities, villages and at a music festival. After Hamas’ major attack, which left more than 900 dead in the border area, Israel ordered a complete closure of the Gaza Strip. (saw/sda)