{{Infobox bilateral relations|Palestinian-Swiss|Palestine|Switzerland|filetype=svg}}
{{Infobox bilateral relations||Palestine|Switzerland|filetype=svg}}
”’Switzerland–Palestine relations”’ refer to foreign relations between [[Switzerland]] and the [[State of Palestine]]. The Swiss government does not recognize the existence of a Palestinian state.
”’ relations”’ refer to foreign relations between [[]] and [[]]. The Swiss government does not recognize the existence of a Palestinian state.
Switzerland has a representative office in [[Ramallah]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Representative Office of Switzerland Ramallah |url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/ramallah |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=www.eda.admin.ch |language=en}}</ref>
Switzerland has a representative office in [[Ramallah]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Representative Office of Switzerland Ramallah |url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/ramallah |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=www.eda.admin.ch |language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
== History ==
Before 1948, Switzerland was represented in The British Mandate of Palestine by a consulate in [[Jerusalem]] and a consular agency in [[Jaffa]], which was specifically opened in 1927. In 1975, the Palestine Liberation Organization opened an office in [[Geneva]]. The Palestinian President made an official visit in March 2015. He then met with the President of the Swiss Confederation, [[Simonetta Sommaruga]] to discuss the [[Palestinian reconciliation]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://gate.ahram.org.eg/News/607264.aspx | title=عباس يزور سويسرا من أجل عملية المصالحة الفلسطينية بين منظمة التحرير وحماس }}</ref> In January 2022, Switzerland announced its abandonment of the [[Geneva Initiative]] and declared the need to redefine its Middle East strategy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/swiss-phase-out-funding-for-geneva-initiative/47293384|title=Swiss phase out funding for Geneva Initiative|date=January 26, 2022|website=SWI swissinfo.ch}}</ref>
Before 1948, Switzerland was represented in British Mandate of Palestine by a consulate in [[Jerusalem]] and a consular agency in [[Jaffa]], which was specifically opened in 1927. In 1975, the Palestine Liberation Organization opened an office in [[Geneva]]. The Palestinian President made an official visit in March 2015. He then met with the President of the Swiss Confederation, [[Simonetta Sommaruga]] to discuss the [[Palestinian reconciliation]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://gate.ahram.org.eg/News/607264.aspx | title=عباس يزور سويسرا من أجل عملية المصالحة الفلسطينية بين منظمة التحرير وحماس }}</ref> In January 2022, Switzerland announced its abandonment of the [[Geneva Initiative]] and declared the need to redefine its Middle East strategy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/swiss-phase-out-funding-for-geneva-initiative/47293384|title=Swiss phase out funding for Geneva Initiative|date=January 26, 2022|website=SWI swissinfo.ch}}</ref>
In 2020, Swiss national [[Philippe Lazzarini]] was appointed head of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-31 |title=It helps to be Swiss, says new boss of Palestinian refugee agency |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/unrwa_it-helps-to-be-swiss–says-new-boss-of-palestinian-refugee-agency-/45792894 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en}}</ref>
In 2020, Swiss national [[Philippe Lazzarini]] was appointed head of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-31 |title=It helps to be Swiss, says new boss of Palestinian refugee agency |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/unrwa_it-helps-to-be-swiss–says-new-boss-of-palestinian-refugee-agency-/45792894 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en}}</ref>
Bilateral relations
Palestine–Switzerland relations refer to foreign relations between Palestine and Switzerland. The Swiss government does not recognize the existence of a Palestinian state.
Switzerland has a representative office in Ramallah.[1]
Before 1948, Switzerland was represented in the British Mandate of Palestine by a consulate in Jerusalem and a consular agency in Jaffa, which was specifically opened in 1927. In 1975, the Palestine Liberation Organization opened an office in Geneva. The Palestinian President made an official visit in March 2015. He then met with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga to discuss the Palestinian reconciliation.[2] In January 2022, Switzerland announced its abandonment of the Geneva Initiative and declared the need to redefine its Middle East strategy.[3]
In 2020, Swiss national Philippe Lazzarini was appointed head of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).[4]
In November 2023, Switzerland stopped funding 11 human rights organization in Israel and Palestine in response to Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October.[5] Ignazio Cassis, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the creation of a taskforce on the Middle East headed by Maya Tissafi.[6] Switzerland maintained contact with Hamas and does not classify it as a terrorist organization.[7] It also informs Israel of its ties with Hamas.[7] Parts of Switzerland banned pro-Palestinian protests.[8][9]
Following the Gaza war, Switzerland banned Hamas.[10] It announced further bans on people supporting or funding Hamas would be enacted.[10] Switzerland also announced the complete stopping of funding for three NGOs under review but continued fundings for eight others.[10] The Swiss parliament voted to stop funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).[11] It was passed by the lower house but blocked by the upper house.[11][12]
