Switzerland participates in conference in New York on two-state solution and joins call for Israel to lift medical restrictions on patients in Gaza
Berne, 23.09.2025 — In line with Switzerland's long-standing efforts to support a political solution to the Middle East conflict, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis took part in a conference in New York on the two-state solution. The conference is a follow-up to the high-level meeting held in July during the UN General Assembly on the same topic. In a joint declaration with several other states, Switzerland called on Israel to lift restrictions on medicines and medical equipment and to reopen the medical evacuation corridor from Gaza to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
On 29 July 2025, at the UN conference on implementing the two-state solution, Switzerland had reiterated that the two-state solution remained the only way for Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side in peace, security and dignity, within secure and recognised borders and in line with international law.
On Monday 22 September in New York, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis represented Switzerland at the follow-up conference organised by France and Saudi Arabia. Switzerland supports the New York Declaration that emerged from the conference on implementing the two-state solution, which calls for concrete steps to end the war in Gaza, implement a two-state solution and achieve regional integration.
Switzerland firmly rejects the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, as well as the settlements, annexation and forced displacement. It calls on all parties to respect their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law. It also reiterates its call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and safe access to humanitarian aid. Switzerland has long supported a two-state solution. The bilateral recognition of Palestine must be part of a lasting peace based on the two-state solution. This recognition can only be envisaged once concrete measures have been initiated to guarantee the self-determination of the Palestinian people and the security of Israel.
Call to lift medical restrictions on patients in Gaza
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has become intolerable. Civilians continue to suffer from relentless hostilities, repeated displacements and famine. The escalation of military operations in central Gaza is further exacerbating this untenable situation. Switzerland reiterates that, as an occupying power, Israel must ensure the population is supplied with food and has access to medical care. In a joint declaration in New York on Monday, Switzerland and several partner states called on Israel to lift restrictions on medicines and medical equipment, and to reopen the medical evacuation corridor from Gaza to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, so that patients can receive the urgent care they require.
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Statement by Switzerland on 29 July 2025 in New York during the High-Level International Conference on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution.
New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, endorsed on 10 September 2025 by the UN General Assembly