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The aim should be better coordination between the cantons. In addition, there is a need for a nationwide, uniform strategy to combat racism and anti-Semitism, it was said in the large chamber.
After Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th and the outbreak of war in the Middle East, anti-Semitic incidents in Switzerland have multiplied. The tragic low point was last weekend’s knife attack by a 15-year-old on an Orthodox Jew in Zurich.
In view of this development, action must be taken now, says SP parliamentary group president Samira Marti. “The urgency of national coordination has increased again.”
Switzerland-wide strategy against anti-Semitism necessary
So far, efforts to combat anti-Semitism have been a patchwork. The cantons are proceeding very differently and there is no common strategy, says Marti.
And so the National Council clearly agreed to a motion from its state policy commission with this demand. It calls for an action plan with a Switzerland-wide strategy against racism and anti-Semitism.
But one must be careful that the plan does not degenerate into a paper tiger, warns Green Party President Balthasar Glättli. “You have to go to schools and to companies.” You have to try to get people to think about their prejudices and overcome them.
The specialist office against racism is required
The existing specialist office against racism should be in charge of developing the action plan. She should receive more money for this.
Jonathan Kreutner from the Swiss Association of Jewish Communities is happy that the National Council wants to make progress in combating anti-Semitism. Because: “At the moment everything is on the shoulders of civil society – that can’t be the case.”
Two years ago, the Greens called for a national action plan against racism and anti-Semitism. At that time, however, the Federal Council did not want to accept this proposal. Now the only resistance came from the SVP.
SVP is the only party against the action plan
There is no need for action plans or campaigns and posters to combat anti-Semitism, said SVP National Councilor Andreas Glarner. “We need to guard the borders and consistently deport criminals – including those who are suspected of criminal anti-Semitism,” he emphasized.
For the SVP, today’s anti-Semitism has primarily to do with the immigration of Muslim migrants. SP National Councilor Samira Marti cannot do anything with this point of view – anti-Semitism can be found in all parts of society, not just among immigrants.
“The SVP remains blind in one eye and is doing the Jews a disservice,” accuses Marti of the political competition. You have to look everywhere. Nobody can shirk responsibility.
Next, the business will go to the Council of States. If the latter also supports the initiative, the Federal Council must implement the request.