A new Swiss law banning Hamas and related organisations will come into force on 15 May, the government said on Wednesday, aiming to prevent the Palestinian group from using Switzerland as a safe haven by making entry bans or expulsions easier to arrange.
The law, which was approved by parliament last December and came in the wake of the attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, gives Swiss authorities "the necessary tools to take action against Hamas activities or support for the organisation in Switzerland", the government said.
The Swiss law enables preventive police measures such as entry bans or expulsions, and also makes it more difficult for Hamas to use Switzerland as a financial hub for its activities.
The Hamas-led attack in 2023 reportedly resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis and the taking of some 250 captives. Israel has since begun a brutal and indiscriminate military campaign on Gaza, killing over 61,700 people, including 18,000 children and 12,000 women.
The war on the besieged enclave has been described as a genocide by leading human rights and international law experts.
Israel’s assault has levelled much of Gaza, with entire neighbourhoods wiped out, as international prosecutors seek arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Switzerland, which has long positioned itself as a "neutral" mediator, maintains diplomatic relations with Israel and has faced internal pressure over its stance on the war in Gaza.
(Reuters)