The Local Switzerland

UN Palestinian refugee agency 'part of the problem': Swiss foreign minister

Thu, 17 May 2018 18:18:43 +0200

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees is fuelling "unrealistic" hopes of return after 70 years of exodus and is therefore helping keep the Mideast conflict alive, Switzerland's foreign minister has said.

UN says 'it seems anyone is liable to be shot dead' in Gaza

Tue, 15 May 2018 16:53:28 +0200

The UN rights office said on Tuesday it seemed that any Palestinian protesting in Gaza, regardless of whether they pose an imminent threat, is "liable" to be killed by Israeli forces.

Switzerland had secret 'peace deal' with PLO

Thu, 21 Jan 2016 13:27:18 +0100

Switzerland signed off on a secret deal with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)in 1970 in a bid to prevent terrorist attacks on its soil, a new book suggests.

Palestinian leader to address UN in Geneva

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:25:04 +0200

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will next week address the United Nations' top human rights body in Geneva, the UN said on Tuesday, as a wave of violence in Israel continues despite international calls for calm.

Geneva Conventions talks tabled for Palestine

Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:58:00 +0200

The Swiss foreign ministry said on Wednesday it is in talks about holding an international conference sought by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas focusing on protecting civilians in Gaza.

Abbas calls on Swiss for human rights summit

Fri, 18 Jul 2014 15:37:00 +0200

The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has asked Swiss President Didier Burkhalter to organize an urgent conference regarding the current deadly conflict in the Middle East.

Palestinians sign up to Geneva Conventions

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 17:33:00 +0200

The Palestinian Authority has signed up formally to the Geneva Conventions, which set down the rules of warfare and humanitarian operations in conflict zones, the treaties' guardian Switzerland confirmed on Friday.

Migros to label goods from Israeli settlements

Thu, 31 May 2012 12:47:00 +0200

Swiss supermarket chain Migros has announced that it will begin adding special labels to any products that come from "Occupied Palestinian Territories".

Art prize scrapped after Lacoste vetoes Palestinian winner

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:20:00 +0100

The organisers of a €25,000 ($32,000) art prize said on Wednesday they have cancelled this year's competition after sponsors Lacoste objected to an entry by a Palestinian photographer.