Hessler Justine

#WestBank |🇨🇭condemns the approval of 22 new settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory by #Israel. They are illegal under international law, incl. the Fourth Geneva Convention, and a major obstacle to #peace. Expansion and settler violence must stop.

#MiddleEast | #Switzerland is alarmed by the humanitarian tragedy in #Gaza and the reported risks of famine. #Israel has to lift the blockade now. #HumanitarianAid must be delivered urgently according to #IHL & established humanitarian principles. 🇨🇭stands ready to support its partners in this endeavour and reiterates its calls for an immediate return to a #ceasefire and the release of all #hostages.

Thank you Ambassador Attieh for hosting political consultations between the Palestinian Authority 🇵🇸 & Switzerland🇨🇭today in #Ramallah and for the rich exchange. We agreed to stay in close contact on the important issues discussed including our commitment to international law.

#ProcheOrient | La 🇨🇭 est alarmée par le nombre élevé de victimes rapporté après une frappe israélienne sur une école utilisée comme abri à #Gaza. Le droit international humanitaire (#DIH) exige la protection des civils et des infrastructures civiles en zones de conflit.

#MiddleEast | Starving civilians deliberately is a war crime. The latest remarks of Minister Smotrich are unacceptable. We expect the 🇮🇱 government to comply with #IHL.

#MiddleEast | 🇨🇭 is very concerned about a large-scale military offensive in #Rafah, which would have serious humanitarian consequences. All parties must immediately work towards a #ceasefire and the release of all hostages. #HumanitarianAid must reach all civilians in need.

#MiddleEast (1/2) | #UNSC calls for immediate #ceasefire during Ramadan, leading to lasting sustainable ceasefire. As co-penholder with all elected members,🇨🇭 welcomes adoption of crucial resolution in view of catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. bit.ly/3ZO4VaR

#MiddleEast | #Rafah is a refuge for 1.3 million civilians fleeing fighting & a vital conduit for #humanitarian aid into #Gaza. 🇨🇭is concerned about the danger to civilians if the fighting expands to Rafah & calls for respect for int. humanitarian law under all circumstances.

Great to meet our teams in #Ramallah #TelAviv #Cairo & #Amman. Since 7 October our embassies in the region have worked tirelessly to support Swiss citizens, coordinate our humanitarian response and support our diplomatic efforts for deescalation. Thank you for your engagement!

#OPT: Discussions with @DrShtayyeh, FM Malki @pmofa and civil society actors on situation in #WestBank & #Gaza and the challenges to #peace and prosperity. Also met @UN and #humanitarian actors to discuss mechanisms ensuring aid benefits directly people in need. @SwissDevCoop

Excellent discussion with Chinese 🇨🇳 Ambassador Zeng Jixin on the Middle East, Gaza and #China’s role in the region.

Patricia Danzi, DG of @SwissDevCoop, and Ambassador Maya Tissafi @SwissMFAmena visited the NGO @btselem in the community in Maghayer a-Dir. They were informed on the situation of Bedouins and the increasing settlers’ violence in the occupied #Palestinian territory.

Together with Patricia Danzi, DG of @SwissDevCoop we visit #Egypt, #Jordan, the occupied #Palestinian territory & #Israel the next days. We will meet officials, humanitarian actors & civil society to take stock of Near East crisis, incl. humanitarian & political situation.

#MiddleEast | Switzerland 🇨🇭 welcomes the opening of the #Rafah crossing between Egypt and #Gaza and the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid. It is an important first step. More is needed to ensure the steady supply of water, medicine & food to people in need in Gaza.

In a phone call with H.H. Prince @FaisalbinFarhan 🇸🇦 we shared our concerns about the situation in the #MiddleEast and discussed the need to avoid a regional escalation, how to guarantee humanitarian assistance to #Gaza and the question of a ceasefire.

🇨🇭is deeply alarmed and condemns the escalating violence in #Gaza and #Israel. Civilians must be protected at all times. We are in contact with all sides to urge them to respect international #humanitarianlaw and restore calm. De-escalation is urgently needed.

Thank you 🇳🇴 and 🇪🇺 for convening the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee’s meeting #AHLC. 🇨🇭supports all efforts to bring 🇮🇱 and 🇵🇸 together. I recalled today how urgent it is to break the cycles of violence and to go back to a genuine political process.

🇨🇭 is appalled by scenes of violence by 🇮🇱 security forces at Al Aqsa Mosque in #Jerusalem. The indiscriminate launch of rockets from Gaza into Israel is unacceptable. We call for restraint & respect of the status quo. Everyone should be able celebrate the holy days in peace.

1957: Francesca Pometta tritt in den diplomatischen Dienst des @EDA_DFAE ein. Die erste Diplomatin der 🇨🇭! 2023: vier von sechs Direktionen des EDA werden von Frauen geführt. Chancengleichheit hat im EDA Priorität. #WeltFrauentag #InternationalWomensDay

Stability in the MENA region is a priority of🇨🇭MENA Strategy. At the @MunSecConf, I met #Palestinian 🇵🇸 PM @DrShtayyeh, and the MFAs from #Kuwait 🇰🇼& #Yemen 🇾🇪. Respect for international law is essential to appease tensions. Switzerland is committed to dialogue in the region.