“Essential tools to combat terrorism”: Switzerland takes a firm stance with new legislation against Hamas. How will the new ban affect Eurovision 2025?
In a move that could change the rules of the game, Switzerland—a country long renowned for its unwavering neutrality and cautious diplomacy—has imposed a comprehensive ban on Hamas, just ahead of Eurovision 2025, set to take place in Basel. The new legislation, born out of the deadly terrorist attack of October 7, marks a dramatic shift in Switzerland’s foreign policy and has sparked widespread reactions both domestically and internationally. Will this step ensure a safer competition, or might it further inflame tensions surrounding the year’s biggest event?
New Legislation Against Hamas: “Essential Tools to Combat Terrorism”
The Swiss government announced that a new law banning Hamas and all affiliated organizations will come into force on May 15, the same day that Israel’s representative, Yuval Raphael, is set to take the Eurovision stage. The law, approved by parliament last December, was enacted following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. According to the government, the law grants authorities in the country “the necessary tools to take action against Hamas activities or support for the organization in Switzerland.”
The stated goal of the legislation is to punish Hamas for the deadly assault, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage, and to prevent the group from using Swiss territory as a safe haven or base for future terrorist activities. The new law will also facilitate the execution of deportations and entry bans.
Strengthening Measures Against Terror Financing
One of the key objectives of the law is to aid in the fight against terror financing. The government clarified that the legislation will allow Switzerland’s anti-money laundering authorities to share information more efficiently with their counterparts abroad. In doing so, Switzerland hopes to block potential funding routes for Hamas’s activities through the Swiss banking system.
The Swiss government sought to pass the law immediately after the Hamas attack, in which two Swiss nationals were also killed. The government stated that the law was passed “in accordance with the policy of proscribing organizations only in particularly serious cases.”
A Shift in Swiss Foreign Policy
On October 11, 2023, just four days after the attack, the Swiss government declared that it “is of the opinion that Hamas must be classified as a terrorist organization.” This marked a significant shift in Swiss foreign policy, which had previously maintained an open channel of communication with Hamas in an effort to “pressure the organization to comply with international humanitarian law,” according to local media reports.
However, following the attack, calls in Switzerland to outlaw Hamas intensified dramatically, and it seems that Switzerland’s traditional approach—priding itself on neutrality and the ability to “talk to everyone”—was abandoned in favor of a much tougher stance.
Hamas, Hezbollah, and Beyond: Expanding the Terror List
The new law joins an additional decision by the Swiss parliament made in December 2024 to also ban Hezbollah. The proposal’s supporters argued that Hezbollah, backed by Iran, represents a significant threat to international security and that Switzerland must take a clear stand against terrorism.
Until now, Switzerland had only banned the activities of al-Qaeda and Islamic State, in line with United Nations resolutions. Since Hamas is not designated as a terrorist organization by the UN, Switzerland was required to enact special legislation to prohibit its activities—a move that underscores the seriousness of its intent.
How Is the New Law Expected to Impact Eurovision 2025?
It is important to emphasize that Switzerland, as the host country of Eurovision 2025 set to take place in Basel, is enacting this measure at an especially sensitive time. The anticipated impact on Eurovision includes several layers:
- Security Aspect: The official ban on Hamas strengthens Switzerland’s position against potential threats and enables it to implement broader measures against any attempts to compromise the event’s security. Closer cooperation with international intelligence and security agencies can be expected, and it is likely that security measures around certain delegations—particularly the Israeli delegation, which is drawing significant attention this year—will be heightened.
- Political Aspect: The move may provoke backlash from countries and pro-Palestinian groups, as already reflected in calls for protest against Israel’s participation in the competition. These calls may intensify as the event approaches, especially in light of Switzerland’s announcement, potentially creating a tense atmosphere around Eurovision 2025.
- Image Aspect: Switzerland presents itself as a country that balances neutrality with international responsibility. The decision to ban Hamas may be perceived by some European audiences as a step away from Switzerland’s historical approach—while bringing it closer to taking a clear stance against terrorism. This could spark wider public discussion, particularly in the context of Eurovision, which already attracts global attention.
- Logistical and Legal Aspect: The legislation will allow Switzerland to act decisively in cases of attempts to infiltrate the event by hostile actors and will enable swift removal of participants or spectators identified as affiliated with Hamas or related organizations. This is expected to streamline bureaucratic processes in the event of identified threats.
In conclusion, the ban on Hamas not only strengthens Switzerland’s global position but is also expected to directly influence the way Eurovision 2025 is managed, especially in terms of security and public response.
Global Trend: Joining Western Powers
The Swiss move aligns with a global trend that has gained momentum in recent decades. The United States outlawed Hamas back in 1997, with Canada following in 2002. The United Kingdom and Australia initially banned only Hamas’s military wing in the early 2000s, expanding the ban to cover the entire organization in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The European Union banned Hamas’s military wing in 2003 and extended the ban to the entire organization in 2015, although implementation was left to member states. Besides Switzerland, Germany is the only EU member state to have enacted a comprehensive ban, a step taken following the October 7 attack. New Zealand and Argentina have also recently joined the effort, fully banning Hamas’s activities.
Source:timesofisrael
Eurovision 2025: This will be Switzerland’s 65th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Switzerland joined the competition in 1956, being one of the seven founding countries, and has won three times over the years. Its most recent victory was at the last Eurovision in 2025, with Nemo’s song “The Code.” This win follows Switzerland’s previous victory in 1988 with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi,” performed by international singer Céline Dion.
