Dear [name of the representative],

I am writing to you today to demand that you ensure that the Swiss government complies with its obligations under International Law in relation to Palestine.

Indeed, on November 21st 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip since October 8th 2023.

These international crimes constitute the gravest crimes individuals can commit, and it is seriously concerning that the international community has not prevented these crimes from taking place for over 428 days now, even though the request for arrest warrants at the ICC was made public in May 2024, and the International Court of Justice deemed Israel’s offensive on Gaza could plausibly constitute the crime of genocide in January of this year.

Further, Amnesty International, one of the top global human rights organisations and a reference in International Law, has just published on December 5th a report resulting from an in-depth investigation of evidence concluding that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.

As a State Party to the Rome Statute, our government is under the obligation to comply with the binding arrest warrants and cooperate with the ICC in its procedure, but must also undertake all in its power to prevent and stop genocide and international crimes from being committed against the Palestinian people, as reiterated by the ICJ, under the Genocide Convention and mandatory International Law.

We therefore expect the Swiss government to implement sanctions against the State of Israel to stop its aggression on the Palestinian population, in all of the Occupied Palestinian territories, and cease all collaboration with the State while it continues to commit international crimes. We cannot aid and assist any Israeli policy which violates human rights, from settlements and occupation in the West Bank, to blocades and the obstruction of humanitarian aid as well as military operations in Gaza.

We must finance UNRWA so it may continue to provide life-saving aid to the Palestinian population, and provide direct humanitarian assistance to Palestinians where possible - this falls under the scope of our obligation to protect the Palestinian people from extermination.

We expect Switzerland not only to uphold its duty to act under International Law, but also to live up to its humanitarian tradition by implementing the Geneva Conventions and condemning the war crimes committed against the Palestinian people, and taking an active role in resolving the situation and ending Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine once and for all, as mandated by the ICJ in July 2024 and the UNGA Resolution A/ES-10/L-31/Rev.1.

Thank you very much for your commitment!

Kind regards,

[Your Name]