Switzerland will begin enforcing a new law on May 15 that bans Hamas and affiliated organisations, aiming to prevent the Palestinian militant group from operating within its borders or using the country as a safe haven.
The law, approved by the Swiss parliament in December 2024, was introduced in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which left 1,200 people dead and saw 251 individuals taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. The subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza has, according to Palestinian health officials, resulted in more than 52,000 deaths.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Swiss government said the legislation gives authorities “the necessary tools to take action against Hamas activities or support for the organisation in Switzerland.” The law enables preventive police measures such as entry bans, expulsions, and legal actions, making it significantly more difficult for Hamas to use Switzerland for recruitment, fundraising, or other forms of support.
By criminalising all support for Hamas, the law aims to close legal loopholes and align Switzerland more closely with the actions of its Western counterparts, many of which have designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
The move also positions Switzerland to limit its territory from being exploited as a financial or logistical base by extremist groups, reinforcing its stance against terrorism while maintaining its tradition of neutrality in international conflicts.
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