The new law clearly prohibits any support for HAMAS: from fundraising and propaganda to organizing events in their favor. Swiss authorities gain more capabilities to control financial flows, ban entry, or deport those associated with the group. Violators face up to 20 years in prison or a hefty fine under the Swiss Criminal Code.

This decision is not just a legal formality. It reflects changes in the mindset even of those countries that previously preferred to stay aside. Until 2023, Switzerland allowed limited contacts with HAMAS for “humanitarian dialogue.” But the attack on October 7, which also claimed the lives of two Swiss citizens, changed the approach. The Swiss Ministry of Justice stated: “Supporting dialogue cannot justify inaction in the face of terror and violations of international law.” These words are important. They show that HAMAS is losing its “fighters against colonialism” aura. Terrorism is called by its name, and silence in the face of it is no longer neutrality.

Comment by Marina Rosenberg Koritny, Head of the World Zionist Organization Department for the Promotion of Aliyah:
For those who already live in Israel or are considering repatriation, the ban on HAMAS in Switzerland is a significant signal. Switzerland has taken a step towards moral and political clarity, and this strengthens the confidence that the fight against terrorism is a common task. Israel is our home, not a colonial project, as some try to suggest to the world. Such decisions confirm: the international community is beginning to see our reality more clearly.