Gathered in congress, the PS delegates adopted two resolutions on the conflict in the Middle East. They demand an immediate ceasefire and respect for international law, as well as an arms embargo on Israel. They also demanded the takeover of Sandoz by the Confederation.
Discussions around the conflict in the Middle East were one of the hot spots at the Socialist Congress in Davos (GR). Several delegates thus opposed the position of the steering committee.
On Saturday, during his opening speech, co-president Cédric Wermuth called for solidarity with all those affected by the war. There is no alternative to the right to self-determination and the existence of Israel, nor to the right to existence of Palestine, he argued.
On Sunday, however, several delegates appeared on stage with Palestinian scarves around their necks. Mélanie Rufi described the resolution proposed by the party leadership as “courageless” and considered that it was a weakness of the PS not to call things by their name.
Geneva State Councilor Carlo Sommaruga, president of the Switzerland-Palestine parliamentary group, called for a boycott of Israel and warned against double standards.
Two resolutions widely adopted
Co-chair Cédric Wermuth, however, successfully argued in favor of the leadership’s resolution. This certainly does not resolve the war, but supports the political fight for aid to the victims and the diplomatic services of Switzerland.
The resolution further equally condemns violence by all parties. It reaffirms the demand to put an end to all military cooperation and all trade in war materials with all the States concerned in the region.
It is necessary to support forces oriented towards peace and to encourage understanding and exchanges, it is specified. The resolution also commits to the Palestinian people by condemning Israel’s settlement policy and demanding the demolition of the separation wall in the annexed territory.
Another resolution authored by Carlo Sommaruga called for an arms embargo against Israel, “as long as the occupation contrary to international law continues.” Furthermore, Switzerland should actively commit to ending the Israeli occupation and support a just and lasting political solution to the Palestinian question.
Both resolutions were ultimately adopted by a large majority by the delegates.
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