Initiative launched to recognise Palestine

A coalition of politicians, NGOs, and civil society has launched an initiative calling on Switzerland to recognize the State of Palestine.

The proposal would add a constitutional article stating: “Switzerland recognizes Palestine as a sovereign and independent state.” 

Led by figures including Green Party president Lisa Mazzone and Socialist Carlo Sommaruga, the committee aims to gather 100,000 signatures in 18 months for a possible popular vote. 

So far, the Federal Council has refused, saying recognition should only follow a negotiated two-state peace.

More from Bitesize News

  • Bank details compromised

    British digital bank Revolut has admitted handing customer information to fraudsters who impersonated a European government agency

  • Watch theft victim speaks out

    A luxury watch dealer just across the French border from Geneva has broken his silence about a violent robbery earlier this month

  • Crans Montana hearings due before end of year

    Jessica Moretti, who ran the Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, is now living in near-isolation in the Valais village of Lens more than eight months after the deadly New Year's Eve fire

  • Better news for economy

    Switzerland's economy will grow 1.7% this year — nearly double the 0.9% expansion forecast in June, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs said yesterday

  • Geneva budget plan unveiled

    Geneva has now put figures to its austerity plan — a CHF 546 million deficit for 2027, even after CHF 247 million in cuts

  • Summer fires increase

    Firefighters across French-speaking Switzerland tackled far more vegetation fires this summer than in any of the past five years

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play