Its parliament voted today to ban it, in a rare move by this neutral country, which has traditionally followed a policy of promoting international dialogue and mediation.
Supporters of the ban, which was passed by the lower house after it was approved by the upper house last week, say Hezbollah poses a threat to international security and that Switzerland should ban it to take a stand against terrorism.
The Swiss government opposed the ban.
“If Switzerland now proceeds to ban similar organizations with special laws, we have to ask where and how the boundaries are drawn,” Justice Minister Beat Jans said during a debate in parliament.
The ban on the Lebanese armed organization was approved in the lower house with 126 votes in favor, 20 against and 41 abstentions
The security policy committee that proposed the ban argued that Switzerland’s mediating role would remain intact thanks to a special provision for peace talks and humanitarian aid.
Last week the Swiss parliament outlawed Hamas for the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel.
Switzerland has previously banned only Al Qaeda and Islamic State, which are on the United Nations’ list of terrorist organizations.
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