FM Sa'ar congratulates Switzerland for designating Hamas as terror org.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar congratulated Switzerland for independently designating Hamas as a terrorist organization through primary legislation in a post on X/Twitter on Wednesday.

Switzerland has independently designated Hamas as a terrorist organization through primary legislation with overwhelming support. I commend Switzerland for this critical step and urge other nations to follow suit. Hamas is one of the most heinous terror organizations in…

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) December 11, 2024

"Switzerland has independently designated Hamas as a terrorist organization through primary legislation with overwhelming support.  I commend Switzerland for this critical step and urge other nations to follow suit. Hamas is one of the most heinous terror organizations in history—it must be recognized as such worldwide," Sa'ar posted.

Swiss media reported that movements to ban Hamas as a terror organization began in 2017 when the Swiss parliament initially called for their ban. The Federal Council halted this action by claiming that Switzerland was "using its contacts with Hamas in Gaza to urge them to comply with international humanitarian law.”

Parliament members pushed for a Hamas ban, Swiss media reported Wednesday, noting that they practiced neutrality and had only adopted existing UN bans for sanctioning terrorist organizations, as per local law.

Still, Hamas has not officially been designated on the UN's terror list, leading the central European country to create new legislation to allow for this designation. Though Al Qaeda and the Islamic State were banned, Hamas would need alternative action.

Swiss diplomats raised concerns on how the ban could rely on political pressure from partner states.

Non-neutral countries banned the terror organization at a quicker speed, with the EU designating Hamas a terrorist organization in 2003. Those sanctions expanded after the October 7, 2023 attacks. Israel banned the group immediately after it was founded, and the US and United Kingdom followed in 1997 and 2001, respectively.

Following a vote in the national Senate, Switzerland's House of Representatives accepted the proposed Hamas ban on Wednesday afternoon by 168 votes to six. 

Swiss Parliament approved the ban for an initial period of five years with the option to extend.

Policy of neutrality

Switzerland, which is known for remaining assertively impartial with diplomatic ties and policies, had given Hamas an opportunity to act as a legitimate governing body. After Switzerland committed to a contact policy with the terror organization, the Federal Council justified it as a "Swiss commitment is aimed at preventing violent extremism."

This changed for Swiss parliamentarians following October 7 massacre in Israel. In the largest pogrom against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, Hamas led a deadly assault on Israeli communities, murdering more than 1,200 and taking 250 hostage. More than a year later, 100 captives remain in Gaza.

After Hamas made it clear that they had intentions of repeating the brutal assault, Switzerland decided to close the channel for dialogue. The actions were carried out with violent intent, not for peaceful purposes, Swiss officials ruled.