How Switzerland is fighting the war in the Middle East – and who is standing in its way Immediate construction halt on parts of the Zermatt World Cup track

As head of the mission, Pascale Baeriswyl is the face of Switzerland at the UN in New York. It was the former secretary of state who read out the federal government’s statement on Wednesday afternoon regarding the vote on a resolution on the war in the Middle East.

“As early as October 7, Switzerland strongly condemned the acts of terror, indiscriminate attacks and hostage-taking by Hamas against the Israeli population,” Baeriswyl said in the introduction. She also expressed the Confederation’s regret “over the deaths of thousands of civilians, including hundreds of children, in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in Gaza.” Switzerland condemns the attacks, especially those on Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, which left hundreds dead and injured.

Switzerland is concerned about the dramatic situation of the civilian population in Gaza. “De-escalation, the protection of civilians, the humane treatment of all hostages – whose immediate release Switzerland demands – and rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access are priorities,” Baeriswyl explained. A draft resolution from Brazil aligned with these priorities: “For this reason, Switzerland voted in favor of the resolution, and we deeply regret that the resolution to be voted on today was not adopted.”

Russia and the US: This is how veto powers slow down

The resolution received a majority in the Security Council, but failed due to the US veto. They missed the reference to Israel’s right to self-defense.

A resolution tabled by Russia had already failed. Vladimir Putin’s regime did not want to condemn Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel and was unwilling to continue working on the text. However, the condemnation of Hamas was compelling for the majority of states in the Security Council. That is why Switzerland also rejected the resolution.

Switzerland subsequently participated intensively in Brazil’s proposal as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. And not just in the person of Pascale Baeriswyl: entire teams in New York and Bern are working on Swiss involvement in the Security Council.

Before the election of the Security Council, the Federal Council and Parliament in Bern considered how Swiss positions should be supported domestically. Even in normal times, the government developed the model of ‘coordinated decision-making’ with the involvement of the entire Federal Council. After the outbreak of war, he also decided to expand the Middle East Task Force of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs into a task force of the Federal Council. It also addresses strategic issues, such as the classification of Hamas as a terrorist organization, as intended by the Federal Council.

And Parliament also has its say. “The Security Council topic is on the agenda at every meeting, the information flows,” said Franz Grüter, chairman of the National Council’s Foreign Policy Committee. Because the committee meets almost monthly, it can be well involved. Experience obviously shows that non-permanent members such as Switzerland have little room for maneuver in the Security Council: “The veto powers are in charge,” explains the SVP National Council, “this also puts Switzerland’s role in the body into perspective, especially when it comes to the reform efforts that are underway.”

The US must veto – thanks to the Principality of Liechtenstein

The federal government’s Middle East policy follows clear guidelines. “Switzerland remains convinced that a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved through peaceful means,” the Foreign Ministry said when asked. “This is based on a two-state solution negotiated by both sides, in accordance with international law and UN Security Council resolutions.”

Today, however, such a solution is far from reality. The objectives that Switzerland is now pursuing in the Security Council are much more modest: “During the negotiations on the draft resolutions in recent days, Switzerland has advocated the condemnation of Hamas’s terrorist acts, the protection of the civilian population and rapid humanitarian assistance.” access (… ) a.”

This is in line with the priorities that Switzerland set itself when it was elected to the Security Council: “Promoting lasting peace” and “Protecting the civilian population” are the top priorities on the website. The resolution blocked by the US would have achieved these objectives.

The US will have to exercise its veto in a debate in the UN General Assembly in the coming days. And all Member States will be able to comment on this. This is a new procedure which, it should be noted, goes back to the initiative of one of the smallest members of the UN: the Principality of Liechtenstein. The idea behind it: the veto powers in the Security Council, the US, China, Russia, France and Great Britain should at least justify themselves if they block a project of the international community. (aargauerzeitung.ch)