The staff concerned have been informed, the foreign ministry confirmed on Saturday. A working group has been set up to plan the next steps. A date has not yet been set and it is estimated that the move will take a few months to realise.
The news was first reported on Friday by the Swiss daily Le Temps that wrote that the Alpine nation was finally caving into pressure from Israel. The Swiss diplomatic liaison office was moved from East Jerusalem to Ramallah in 2001 but the development office remained.
According to the foreign ministry, the location of the development cooperation office, be it in East Jerusalem or Ramallah, has no influence on Switzerland’s position on the Middle East conflict. Switzerland considers East Jerusalem to be occupied territory within the meaning of international humanitarian law. The final status of Jerusalem – especially as the capital of both states – would have to be negotiated between the parties.
The location of the office would also have no impact on Switzerland’s engagement in the framework of its cooperation programme on the Middle East 2021-2024.
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Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
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It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
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The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
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Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
Precious archaeological vases and coins returned to Italian museum
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The Italian authorities have recovered over 2,500 precious ancient coins, vases and small sculptures that had been illegally dug up and sold in Switzerland, Eurojust announced on Monday.
PrimeEnergy Cleantech declared bankrupt by Swiss authorities
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PrimeEnergy Cleantech has been officially declared bankrupt, the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC) reported on Monday.
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The consumption of antibiotics has risen in Switzerland since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, compared to other European countries the Alpine country has one of the lowest levels of antibiotic usage.
Swiss financial watchdog foresees greater uncertainty due to geopolitics
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The Swiss financial sector will face greater uncertainty due to the numerous geopolitical conflicts around the world, warns the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Swiss museums to mark centenary of death of painter Félix Vallotton
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Swiss museums will celebrate the centenary of the death of the artist Félix Vallotton (1865-1925) next year. A major retrospective is planned in Lausanne, his birthplace, in autumn.
Russian mission installs more ‘spy’ antennas in Geneva, Swiss TV report claims
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Russian spies are strengthening their presence in Geneva, according to a report by Swiss public television, RTS. Russian officials have placed new satellite dishes on their diplomatic buildings without authorisation.
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Swiss deny Israeli pressure led to relocation of Palestinian office
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Announcing the relocation plan on Tuesday, the foreign ministry said all its diplomatic representatives would be moved to new offices in Ramallah. It added that its East Jerusalem office would remain open, but would not have any function other than humanitarian and aid work. The decision, taken by the Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, comes…
Switzerland cuts funding to Palestinian NGO with suspected violent links
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Switzerland has confirmed that it has stopped funding a Palestinian women’s rights NGO, following an investigation showing links to a terrorist figure.
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Switzerland, one of the first countries to recognize the state of Israel, is alarmed by the level of violence in Gaza Strip.
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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.