[Opinion] Switzerland’s turning point: Why Hamas was finally declared a terror organization
[Excerpts]
In what could have been a scene from a dark comedy, Swiss diplomats gathered in a gilded hall following Hamas’ violent takeover of Gaza in 2007. While nodding solemnly at the undeniable atrocities committed by Hamas and acknowledging the history of suicide bombings and other murderous acts, the diplomats carefully crafted statements to avoid labeling Hamas as a terrorist organization. Switzerland’s sacrosanct neutrality, they argued, demanded open avenues of dialogue—even if those avenues were drenched in blood.
This absurd dance exposed a troubling truth: for the Swiss government, political posturing and neutrality trumped integrity. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Switzerland’s equivalent of a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clung to its justification for years, insisting that “open communication” with Hamas could somehow inspire the brutal organization to embrace peace with Israel, human rights, and democracy.
Another naive Swiss policy, also intended to nudge Hamas towards these important values, took the form of substantial funding directed by the FDFA to illusory human rights NGOs. Analysis by NGO Monitor has demonstrated that, ironically, Switzerland’s foreign funding practices were far from neutral. According to its own records, Switzerland supports an Israeli NGO that seeks to “break” Israeli “myths” about the country’s founding, while amplifying the Palestinian narrative. The FDFA also generously financed several NGOs that actively advocate for dismantling Israel and denying the legitimacy of a Jewish state – regardless of borders.
