Immediately after the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah positioned itself as an ally of Hamas and intensified the shelling of Israel. Specifically, the Federal Council is proposing to supplement the existing law banning Hamas. This has both a preventive and repressive effect.
Ban limited to ten years instead of five
For example, it reduces the risk that terrorist organizations will use Switzerland as a retreat. In addition, the work of the law enforcement authorities is made easier, for example through entry bans and expulsions. It creates clarity and legal certainty, including in the fight against terrorist financing. Anyone who supports Hamas or Hezbollah can be sentenced to ten to twenty years in prison.
The Federal Council now wants to limit the ban on Hamas and Hezbollah to ten years instead of the previous five. Parliament may extend this deadline through the ordinary legislative procedure. The consultation lasts until October 5, 2026.
“Sufficient defense system”
On Friday, the Federal Council also approved the report “Measures against Hamas, other terrorist organizations and actors who violate international law”. In doing so, it fulfills two postulates that were submitted after the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.
In it, the state government assesses the current defense system against terrorism as effective and sufficient. The interplay between the legal ban on organizing, targeted sanctions, financial control mechanisms and international cooperation allows Switzerland to take effective action against terrorist groups such as Hamas.
