Swiss parliament votes to outlaw Hezbollah

Switzerland’s parliament decided Tuesday to ban Hezbollah, a remarkable step by the neutral nation that has long advocated for international communication and mediation.

The prohibition’s supporters claimed that Hezbollah posed a threat to global security and that Switzerland had to outlaw it in order to combat terrorism. The lower house passed the ban last week after the upper house approved it.

The Swiss government resisted the prohibition.

During the parliamentary debate, Justice Minister Beat Jans stated, “We must ask ourselves where and how the boundaries are drawn if Switzerland now moves to ban such organizations with special laws.”

The lower house approved the ban on the Lebanese armed group with 126 votes in favor, 20 against, and 41 abstentions.

Switzerland’s mediating role will continue because of a particular clause on peace discussions and humanitarian help, according to the security policy committee that suggested the restriction.

In response to the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the Swiss parliament banned the organization last week.

Prior to this, Switzerland had only outlawed Islamic State and al Qaeda, two groups listed as terrorist groups by the UN.