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Switzerland called on Israel Friday to honor its international obligations by respecting United Nations operations and allowing humanitarian organizations to deliver critical aid to Palestinians in Gaza amid what Swiss officials described as "catastrophic" conditions.
"Israel has an obligation to ensure, to refrain and to respect the United Nations, its organs and agencies," said Franz Perrez, Switzerland's representative to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). "Under international humanitarian law, it must allow and facilitate the relief efforts of impartial humanitarian organizations, including the UN, when the population is in need."
Speaking before the ICJ, Perrez emphasized that Israel cannot use security concerns as a blanket justification for impeding humanitarian assistance to Gaza, where civilians have endured extreme hardship since October 2023, when Israel launched its offensive following Hamas attacks.
"The invocation of security concerns is not a wild card that can be used to avoid obligations under international law," Perrez stated. "Such invocation must be provided for by law and made in good faith."
The Swiss position reinforces growing international pressure on Israel to fulfill its responsibilities as an occupying power under international humanitarian law. According to Perrez, these obligations include consenting to relief operations and ensuring their effective implementation while protecting humanitarian workers.
Switzerland also highlighted Israel's legal obligations under the U.N. Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the U.N., which prohibit unilateral actions that could impede the proper functioning of U.N. operations.
In its address to the court, Switzerland acknowledged the suffering caused by violence since October 2023, including that of Israeli hostages and their families, while reaffirming its commitment to a two-state solution that can only be achieved through "respect for international law and good faith negotiations."
The Swiss statement comes amid ongoing deliberations at the ICJ regarding Israel's actions in the occupied Palestinian territories and their compliance with international law.
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