Switzerland

The secrets of the 'Angel of Death'

Swiss intelligence to publish classified files on Nazi 'Angel of Death' Dr. Joseph Mengele.

INTO THE FRAY:

Helvetian Hypocrisy re Iran: Behind the “chocolate-box" image

For decades, Swiss banks have served as a repository for funds linked to "rogue regimes", dictators, and corrupt officials, Opinion.

Switzerland rejects call to recognize Palestinian state

The Swiss parliament rejected a proposal to recognize a Palestinian state by a majority of 116 opposing votes. The Foreign Policy Committee determined that the conditions for recognition are not currently met.

Six killed in Switzerland bus blaze

At least six killed, three injured, after bus goes up in flames in Switzerland; police investigating.

Eruv in Switzerland draws antisemitic accusations from Senator

A Swiss politician said the eruv's establishment amounted to a ghetto, prompting Swiss rabbis to accuse him of trying to delegitimize a common religious practice.

After backlash

Swiss broadcaster pulls commentary attacking Israeli athletes

Swiss broadcaster RTS pulls bobsleigh commentary in which reporter attacked Israeli athlete Adam Edelman for his Zionist views and support for the IDF during the Olympic Games.

Swiss commentator’s anti-Israel rant erupts at Winter Olympics

Stefan Renna questions Israeli bobsled captain's Olympic eligibility on air, sparking sharp responses.

Switzerland:

Public vote to limit population to 10 million

Swiss citizens will vote this summer in a referendum on a proposal to cap the country’s population at 10 million, in order to restrict immigration and control population growth.

Audit reveals extensive undisclosed Nazi ties at Credit Suisse

Credit Suisse had many more bank accounts with Nazi ties than previously known, investigation finds.

Zurich: Haredi man punched in antisemitic attack

A haredi man was punched by a man who shouted antisemitic slogans at him, and was slightly injured. Passersby managed to stop the attacker.

Hasidic photographer presents stunning photos of Davos

Hasidic photographer Yehoshua Fruchter presents breathtaking gallery from snow-capped Swiss Alps.

Heartbreaking ending:

Israeli teenager killed in Swiss ski resort fire

Body of 15-year-old Israeli citizen Charlotte Needham identified after being unaccounted for following deadly inferno in Crans-Montana.

Swiss fire tragedy

Jewish sisters identified among the victims

The Jewish community in Lausanne announced that teenage sisters Alicia and Diana Gunst were among those killed in the tragic fire in Crans-Montana.

Foreign Ministry:

Three Jews unaccounted for in Swiss ski resort fire

An Israeli woman is missing after a fire at Crans-Montana killed 40 and injured 119. Swiss officials say sparklers likely ignited the blaze. The Foreign Ministry is in contact with her family.

Deadly explosion at Swiss ski resort

At least ten people were killed in an explosion and fire that broke out at a bar in a Swiss ski town during New Year celebrations.

Over Israel’s participation

Swiss Eurovision winner returns trophy

Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo returns trophy, protesting Israel’s participation in the contest amid the Gaza war.

Tragic end to extreme trip:

The 'Jumping Buddha' falls to his death in Switzerland

Swiss rescue forces locate body of Sergey Shipitsin from Ashdod, who became famous for extreme stunts he documented online, after he went gliding and never returned.

Holocaust survivor and husband die by assisted suicide

Ruth Posner, a Holocaust survivor, actress, and advocate for assisted dying, has died alongside her husband Michael at a clinic in Switzerland. Both were in their 90s.

Wehrmacht uniforms spark police intervention in Bernese Oberland

About 25 men dressed in Nazi-era Wehrmacht uniforms marched through Bernese Oberland, alarming hikers and prompting police action. No legal charges followed, as Switzerland has yet to ban such displays.

Switzerland:

Israeli broadcaster files complaint over Eurovision threat

Kan files complaint with Swiss police after a man was caught on video threatening the Israeli Eurovision delegation during the contest's opening event in Basel.

Switzerland to enforce ban on Hamas starting May 15

Switzerland will begin enforcing a new law on May 15 prohibiting Hamas and its affiliates. The law enables authorities to crack down on terror-linked activities and financing within the country.

Swiss fencers apologize after snubbing Israel

Switzerland’s under-23 fencing team apologizes after sparking backlash for refusing to face the Israeli flag during the European Championships medal ceremony in Estonia, insist their act was not a political statement against Israel but an expression of empathy for suffering amid ongoing conflict.

Swiss ambassador apologizes after fencers snub Israeli anthem

Switzerland’s ambassador to Israel apologizes after the Swiss U23 fencing team failed to honor Israel’s anthem during a medal ceremony. Israeli officials condemn the incident.

European Broadcasting Union:

PLO flag permitted at this year’s Eurovision

A flag bearing the symbol of the hostages complies with the rules, but it was clarified that any symbol inciting hatred or violence violates the law.

New report reveals:

Antisemitic incidents in Switzerland surged 43% in 2024

New report highlights 221 antisemitic incidents in Switzerland in 2024, a sharp rise from 155 incidents which were recorded in 2023 and from just 57 in 2022.

Muslims escapes police after attacking Jew

A Muslim who attacked a Jew in Davos, Switzerland, has evaded capture.

Electronic Intifada head Ali Abunimah arrested in Switzerland

Zurich State Councilor Mario Fehr says 'We do not want an Islamist Jew-hater who calls for violence in Switzerland' as denier of Hamas rapes is detained.

Iran protests US arrests of Iranian citizens

Iran summons Swiss ambassador in Tehran, who represents US interests in the country, to protest arrest of two Iranian nationals in connection with attack on US troops in Jordan.

Swiss parliament votes to ban Hezbollah

Switzerland's parliament takes the rare step of voting to ban Hezbollah, following Switzerland's recent decision to outlaw Hamas due to the group's October 7, 2023 attack.

Amid antisemitism:

Switzerland preparing to ban public displays of Nazi symbols

Switzerland’s government preparing to ban public displays of the swastika and the Hitler salute in response to a rise in antisemitism since the outbreak of Israel’s war against Hamas last year.

Despite Hamas ban

Switzerland opts not to ban Hezbollah

Swiss government opts not to pursue a law banning activities and support for Hezbollah, claims that the conditions for such a measure had not been met.

Investigative Project on Terrorism:

Switzerland takes a hardliner stance against terrorism

The situation in Ukraine along with threats from Hamas and Hezbollah have forced the Swiss to rethink their passive neutral stance into a more positive neutrality based in reality rather than wishful thinking. Opinion.

Woman murdered by man shouting 'Long live Palestine'

The murder took place in Algeria weeks ago, but was covered up by local authorities until recently.

Attack on haredi youth:

1 attacker deported from Switzerland, 2nd attacker missing

1 attacker deported from Switzerland months after assault on 19-year-old haredi tourist from the UK by Muslim asylum seekers. The location of the 2nd suspect is currently unknown.

Israeli President welcomes five new ambassadors to Israel

Israel's President Isaac Herzog receives diplomatic credentials of new ambassadors from Belgium, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, and Papua New Guinea.

Swiss Parliament votes to suspend support for UNRWA

Swiss Parliament’s lower house adopts motion to “immediately suspend” support UN agency for “Palestinian refugees”.

Switzerland:

Man arrested for pouring gasoline on synagogue

Swiss police arrest a man with mental health issues for allegedly dousing a synagogue in the city of Zurich with petrol.

Mother confronts UNRWA head:

'UNRWA kidnapped my son, I want him back'

Ayelet Samerano, whose murdered son Yonatan was kidnapped to Gaza by an UNRWA worker on October 7th, confronted UNRWA Secretary-General Philippe Lazzarini during a celebration in Switzerland.

Switzerland:

Restaurant manager fined for refusing to serve Jews

Restaurant manager in the Swiss ski resort of Davos fined for refusing to rent winter sports equipment to Jews. The discrimination was first revealed in February.

Eurovision 2024:

Switzerland wins, Israel finishes fifth

Israel finishes fifth out of 25 countries in the Eurovision 2024 final, winning 375 points. Eden Golan after the final: Proud of our achievement, I dedicate the participation to the hostages.

Switzerland to try Assad's uncle for war crimes

Switzerland's Attorney General's Office says Rifaat Al-Assad will be put on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity dating back to 1982.

Swiss President:

'Antisemitism has no place in Switzerland'

Swiss President Viola Amherd responds to stabbing of haredi man in Zurich by 15-year-old who pledged allegiance to ISIS.

Zurich: Increased security for Jewish institutions

After a haredi man was stabbed by a 15-year-old and seriously injured, Zurich police upped security around Jewish institutions for fear of antisemitic attacks: 'Another precautionary measure.'

Antisemitism in Switzerland:

Haredi man stabbed in Zurich

Haredi in his 50s stabbed in city of Zurich, suffers serious injuries. Local reports say the assailant, a 15-year-old teen, yelled "death to the Jews" during the attack.

Ben-Gvir:

'The ISA thinks we live in Switzerland'

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir denounced plans to release a group of Palestinian administrative detainees.

‘We don’t sell to Jews’

Store sign in Switzerland: ‘We don’t sell to Jews’

The Davos police opened an investigation after a restaurant and ski equipment rental shop displayed a sign ‘Due to various annoying incidents, including the theft of a sled, we no longer rent sports equipment to our Jewish brothers.’

Swiss ski shop under fire for banning Jews

Switzerland’s main Jewish organization denounces antisemitic sign put up at ski shop near Davos, barring Jews from renting equipment from the store.

Foreign Minister:

'UNRWA is part of the problem - not part of the solution'

Foreign Min. Eli Cohen thanks Swiss for ending funding for UNRWA, says organization only makes situation of Gaza residents worse.

Swiss parliament votes to halt funding for UNRWA

Swiss National Council voted on to stop funding the agency following reports of its support of Hamas.

It took more than 900 dead Jews before Switzerland woke up

Audiatur-Online has been reporting and warning for 12 years about antisemitism, Islamism and Jew-hating in the Paestinian Arab context Op-ed

Swiss university's Jewish studies professor must be Catholic

The University of Lucerne is seeking its next Jewish studies professor. Jews need not apply.

Tragedy in Switzerland:

Son of hassidic rebbe killed in paragliding accident

Avrohom Moshe Rabinowitz was the grandson of the Lugano Biala Rebbe, Rabbi Bezalel Simcha Rabinowicz.

Paralyzed man walks again with spinal and brain implants

Study by Swiss researchers successfully implants paralyzed man with device allowing him to walk and move his arms.

Switzerland to fund national memorial for Holocaust victims

Switzerland’s executive body agrees to help pay for the country’s first national memorial to honor the victims of the Holocaust.

WJC: Credit Suisse must reinstate investigation into Nazi ties

Wold Jewish Congress urges bank to rehire investigators looking into new claims of Nazi accounts.

Massive Nazi monument in Swiss cemetery stirring controversy

Enormous stone carving created by Nazis in 1938 leading the Swiss to reexamine the truth of their relationship to the 3rd Reich during WWII.

Swiss Jewish leaders warn of increase in antisemitic attacks

New study finds 'emerging subculture' of antisemitism, calls for government to monitor antisemitism, enact hate speech laws.

Switzerland:

Man with explosives arrested outside Parliament

Police in Switzerland’s capital of Bern evacuate Parliament after man arrested near one of its entrances and found to be bearing explosives.

Geneva lawmakers move to ban Nazi symbols

Politicians from Swiss canton put forward bill to ban Nazi symbols, but measure needs to pass referendum before becoming law.

Swiss Jews praise commission’s support of Nazi symbol ban

Group representing Swiss Jewish communities calls for banning Nazi symbols as first step to comprehensive hate symbol ban.