SWITZERLAND - National Strategy Against Racism, Antisemitism

Switzerland adopted its first-ever national action plan against racism and antisemitism at the Federal Council meeting.

The action plan comes amid surging antisemitism and racism in the country. According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office, 17% of the resident population aged 15 to 88 said in 2024 that they had experienced racial discrimination in the previous five years.

By integrating four dimensions—structural racism, intersectional discrimination, involvement of affected people, specific forms of racism—institutions can “also ensure that their measures are targeted and effective,” the Swiss authorities said.

“With the adoption of this strategy against racism and antisemitism, we are taking an important step toward prevention and protection,” said Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume Schneider, head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs. “For the first time, our country obtains a coordinated framework to combat these violations of fundamental rights, and to preserve social cohesion.”

“Fighting racism and antisemitism is a collective and long-term responsibility. By uniting our strength and pooling our resources, we send a strong signal: that of a Switzerland that chooses respect, equality, justice, and inclusion,” she added.

-www.jpost.com, 8 December 2025

Commentary: If any country can call itself exceptional, it is Switzerland.

It was in Basel, Switzerland in August of 1897 when Theodor Herzl uttered: “Were I to sum up the Basel Congress in a word—which I shall guard against pronouncing publicly—it would be this: At Basel I founded the Jewish State. If I said this out loud today, I would be greeted by universal laughter. In five years perhaps, and certainly in fifty years, everyone will perceive it.”

Fifty-one years later, in May of 1948, the State of Israel was declared by Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Switzerland is known for multiculturism. According to Wikipedia, Switzerland’s foreign-born population is listed at 28.8% of its total population (the US 15.2%).

Regarding this new federal law, the question remains: Will there be less antisemitism? Most likely not, because whether it’s antisemitism or racism, we act based on our parents, Adam and Eve. In Genesis 3, God asks: “Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” (verse 11b). Adam answered: “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (verse 12). How did the woman answer? “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat” (verse 13b). That blame game continues to this very day. Thus, we have conflicts and even wars.

But there is a good side; namely, believing in the already-accomplished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross, when He exclaimed: “It is finished!” From that moment on, as newborn children of God, we belong to a different nation—not a temporary one, but an eternal one. Revelation 5:10 actually declares: “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”