Feb 3, 2026, 12:56 p.mFeb 3, 2026, 12:56 p.m
25 Swiss lawyers are denouncing Swiss complicity in the crimes committed by Israel in Gaza at the International Criminal Court. Addressed to the prosecution of the International Criminal Court, Switzerland is accused of complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip.Image: keystone
Switzerland is violating the Geneva Conventions and does not respect international humanitarian law, Swiss lawyers said on Tuesday at a media conference in Bern. The International Court of Justice has been called upon to investigate “Swiss complicity” in Gaza.
Among other things, they criticized the fact that the defense ministers of Switzerland and Israel signed an agreement on military cooperation in 2013. “Since then, Switzerland has been buying and selling weapons and dual-use goods to Israel,” said the lawyers.
The two countries also cooperated in the development of weapons systems. Of particular concern is the significant increase in shipments of dual-use items, including components for the Hermes 900 drone used in the Gaza Strip, since 2024.
Switzerland was involved in the development of the Hermes 900 drone and is supplying components for it. This drone is manufactured by the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems. There is also a subsidiary of the company in Switzerland and its chairman is the former Armasuisse boss Jakob Baumann.
Between October 2023 and April 2024, 20 export licenses for dual-use goods to Israel were issued to 17 Swiss companies, according to Swiss lawyers. In 2024, exports of dual-use items (civil and military) to Israel reached a record 16.7 million, and they continued to increase in the first quarter of 2025.
Foreign Minister Cassis is sharply criticized
The lawyers also sharply criticized Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis: “Cassis should have taken all the measures at his disposal to prevent the commission of such crimes and at least not to encourage their commission in any way.”
Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis is heavily criticized.Image: keystone
As head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA), Cassis should have reminded the Federal Council and the Federal Assembly of Switzerland’s obligations as a signatory and depositary state to the Geneva Conventions and as a signatory state to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. (dab/sda)