Protest held in Bern against Trump’s Jerusalem move
Some 350 people joined the protest in the Swiss capital Bern
Keystone
Some 350 people demonstrated in Bern on Saturday against the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move its embassy there. The rally was peaceful.
This content was published on
1 minute
Protestors carried banners through the centre of the Swiss capital calling for the respect of international law rather than the law of the strongest.
In a press release at the end of the demonstration, organizers called on the Federal Council (the Swiss cabinet) to officially recognise Palestine as a state; they also demanded an end to Swiss-Israeli military cooperation and imported products from occupied territories.
The rally was organised by several Palestinian associations and the Swiss-Palestinian society.
President Donald Trump announced at the beginning of December that the US would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, contrary to international conventions.
The international community does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the whole of the city. Israel considers the city as its eternal and indivisible capital. Palestinians, however, want the capital of their independent state to be in the city’s eastern sector, which Israel annexed after the 1967 Middle East war.
At the end of 2017, a majority of UN member states including Switzerland called on the US government in a resolution to withdraw the decision.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
This content was published on
A committee of Switzerland’s House of Representatives has found the people’s initiative to limit fireworks too extreme, but has suggested a counter-proposal.
UN investigators report evidence of crimes in Syria and call for national dialogue
This content was published on
UN investigators in Geneva report ample evidence of crimes in Syria and urge the regime to follow through on its promise of a national dialogue.
Swiss Trade Union warns EU deal could threaten wages
This content was published on
The Swiss Trade Union Federation warns that the new bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the EU could threaten wage protection and public services.
Credit Suisse fines from Mozambique scandal to fund victims’ compensation
This content was published on
The fines imposed on Credit Suisse for the Mozambique scandal will be allocated to a fund for the victims, amounting to $105.5 million.
‘Confederation is a subsidy machine’: Swiss finance minister
This content was published on
The Swiss government is a machine for distributing subsidies to various actors in the country, says finance minister Karin Keller-Sutter.
Lack of funds ends third bid to salvage Säntis ship from Swiss lake
This content was published on
A third attempt to salvage the steamship Säntis, lying at the bottom of Lake Constance in Switzerland since 1933, has failed before it has even begun.
Nestlé Waters on trial in France over illegal waste dumps
This content was published on
Bottled water producer Nestlé Waters to stand trial, accused of illegally dumping waste and maintaining unauthorised dumps.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland ‘extremely worried’ by US aid cuts to Palestinians
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign ministry says it is preoccupied by the US aid cut to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Switzerland joins UN vote against Trump Jerusalem move
This content was published on
Switzerland was among 128 countries which voted a resolution condemning the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.