Anti-Semitism Rise in anti-Semitic incidents is a risk for Switzerland's image
In a report, the Federal Council has described the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in this country as a risk to Switzerland's image and foreign policy. However, the government does not believe that additional measures are necessary at present.
13.03.2026, 10:42
SDA
The Federal Council announced on Friday that there are currently no indications that Switzerland is being particularly criticized by the international community due to the situation on its territory.
The report was drawn up by the national government in response to a postulate from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council (FAC-N). The latter also saw the perception of Switzerland abroad as being dependent on this issue, not least due to the country's role as the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions on international humanitarian law.
In the report, the national government also described the rise in anti-Semitism in Switzerland as a "serious challenge to social cohesion and security".
The Federal Council is therefore continuing to monitor the development of the threat situation closely. The protection of fundamental freedoms, human dignity and the security of all communities in Switzerland is a "central task of the state".
Sharp rise in the digital space
Since the Hamas attack on Israel in the fall of 2023, there has been a marked increase in anti-Semitic incidents. Both in the digital and public sphere.
According to the recently published anti-Semitism report by the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG) and the Foundation against Racism and Anti-Semitism (GRA), incidents in the digital space in particular increased by 37% in 2025 compared to the previous year. At the beginning of 2024, an orthodox Jew was seriously injured in a knife attack in Zurich.
However, this development should be seen in an international context. Many countries in Europe and North America have recorded a comparable increase, writes the Federal Council.
It therefore considers the existing instruments at national and international level to be appropriate at the present time. The Federal Council mentioned the recently adopted National Strategy against Racism and Anti-Semitism 2026-2031, the increase in financial aid for the protection of particularly threatened minorities and the implementation of the National Action Plan 2023-2027, including the prevention of radicalization and violent extremism.
