Federal prosecutor’s office is investigating
Switzerland is examining possible payments to Hamas
October 21, 2023, 6:12 p.m
In addition to IS, Al-Qaeda is also banned as a terrorist organization in Switzerland. The situation is different with the radical Islamic Hamas. This is not only permitted, but could also have been financed with money from Switzerland. This calls the federal prosecutor into action.
The Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office has begun investigations into possible financing of the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas with money from Switzerland. Federal prosecutor Stefan Blättler told Swiss radio SRF that the Federal Prosecutor’s Office became active “a few weeks ago” and thus before Hamas’ major attack on Israel on October 7th. He did not provide any further information about the procedure.
Unlike the European Union and the USA, Switzerland has not yet classified Hamas as a terrorist organization, which could complicate investigations into suspected financing of a terrorist organization. Only the Islamic State (IS), Al-Qaeda and some groups affiliated with them are banned in Switzerland.
Middle East task force examines ban
After the major attack, however, there were increasing calls in Switzerland to classify Hamas as a terrorist organization and ban it. On October 11th, the Swiss government launched a corresponding procedure. The Middle East Task Force was commissioned to examine the possibilities for such a classification.
The radical Islamic Hamas launched a major attack on Israel on October 7th and, according to Israeli information, killed at least 1,400 people and kidnapped around 200 hostages to the Gaza Strip. In response to the attack, Israel sealed off the Gaza Strip and launched massive airstrikes there. According to Hamas, at least 4,385 people have been killed and 13,561 others injured in the area since the war began.