That's what it's about

• Emmanuel Macron plans to recognize Palestine as a state, which is causing debate internationally and in Switzerland.
• SP National Councilor Eric Nussbaumer is calling on Switzerland to push forward with the recognition of Palestine. Green Party President Lisa Mazzone sees it similarly.
• Centre National Councilor Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter warns against going it alone, but proposes an international conference on the issue.
• Civil politicians such as Marco Chiesa and Damian Müller warn that recognition would exacerbate tensions.

More than 140 countries recognize Palestine as a state, including more than a dozen European countries. Now, French President Emmanuel Macron also wants to recognize Palestine as a state. The United States and Israel have warned of rewarding terrorism – and the recognition issue is polarizing not only internationally but also in Switzerland, which has not yet recognized Palestine as a state.

Left-wing forces have long been calling for recognition of the Palestinian state in this regard – but for FDP Council of States member Damian Müller, this would be a national disgrace.

Swiss recognition as an important signal

For SP National Councilor Eric Nussbaumer, it's clear: Switzerland must continue to push for recognition. He finds Switzerland's abstention from proposing recognition at the UN to be critical: This was an unwise position on its part. Last but not least, Switzerland also supports the two-state solution: Recognition sends an important signal to the international community and the Palestinian people.

Green Party President Lisa Mazzone also believes recognition is urgently needed, given Israel's genocidal actions. Anyone who supports a two-state solution—like Switzerland—must logically also recognize Palestine as a state: The Greens have been calling for Palestine's recognition for decades. It is incomprehensible why Switzerland is not advocating for this, Mazzone laments.

Middle-woman: Recognition would be pure symbolic politics

Center Party National Councilor Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter says of the French recognition of Palestine: There is a danger that each state will act alone. Even recognition of Switzerland would be purely symbolic for the center party: Sole recognition will not help the people of Gaza.

Nevertheless, Switzerland must work together with the international community and Israel to end the boundless suffering in Gaza. Switzerland can contribute its good offices there – including on the issue of recognition: I propose that Switzerland organize an international conference to discuss the state question. Schneider-Schneiter welcomes Switzerland's recent criticism of Israel, saying:"Switzerland has a special humanitarian and diplomatic responsibility."

Citizens warn of weakening the peace process

SVP Council of States member and former SVP President Marco Chiesa also warns against unilateral steps by neutral Switzerland: Recognizing Palestine at this point in time risks exacerbating existing tensions instead of contributing to a solution to the conflict.

A two-state solution, for example, can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties: What we need is a lasting, peaceful solution based on security for Israel and on genuine prospects for the Palestinian population.

FDP Council of States member Damian Müller is even more critical of recognition: If Switzerland were to anticipate such a step, it would be a national disgrace. This would mean Switzerland definitively abandoning its neutrality—and this in a conflict in which Switzerland is already acting very selectively.

President Macron's announcement sends the wrong and dangerous signal, according to the FDP politician. For Müller, it's clear: Recognizing Palestine at this moment rewards Hamas's terror and weakens all efforts toward a lasting peace solution.

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