Switzerland Makes Hamas Activities and Support for Palestinian Militants Illegal

The Swiss government announced that it will present a draft bill to prohibit the activities of the extremist group Hamas in the country, declaring support for Palestinian militant groups illegal. The Swiss government is formed by four major parties, and the bill is expected to be quickly approved by parliament representatives. The right-wing 'People's Party,' Switzerland's largest party, strongly supports the proposed measure and has condemned Hamas's attacks on Israel. The Swiss Federal Council also stated on Wednesday that this law is an appropriate response to the situation created after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in at least 1,200 Israelis being killed and 240 taken hostage. The Swiss government has stated that it 'recognizes Israel's right to ensure security and defend itself,' but emphasizes the need to guarantee access for residents of the Gaza Strip to humanitarian aid, given the humanitarian situation there. The United States, the European Union, and Japan have previously designated the Iran-backed militant group Hamas as a terrorist organization. Hamas, an acronym for 'Islamic Resistance Movement,' was founded in 1987 following the start of the Palestinian uprising against the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. According to its charter, the group is committed to the destruction of Israel.