SWITZERLAND - No Mandatory Service for Women

Swiss voters decisively rejected a call to require women to do national service in the military, civil protection teams or other forms, as all men must do already.

Voters also heavily rejected a separate proposal to impose a new national tax on individual donations or inheritances of more than 50 million francs ($62 million), with the revenues to be used to fight the impact of climate change and help Switzerland meet its ambitions to have net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The national service proposal came at a time when other European countries are finding ways to bolster their armed forces in the face of growing concerns about Russia’s potential threat beyond the war in Ukraine.

Young men in neutral Switzerland are already required to carry out military service or join civil protection teams. Conscientious objectors can do other types of service, and those who opt out entirely must pay an exemption fee. Each year, about 35,000 men take part in mandatory service.

-abcnews.go.com, 30 November 2025

Commentary: Switzerland is known for its peaceful society. The federal state adopted its armed neutrality in 1815, not engaging in international conflicts.

It is quite remarkable that not even the murderous Nazi regime dared to attack Switzerland.

That Switzerland is super-rich is a well-known fact. A recent study revealed that Switzerland is number one when it comes to per capita gold possession. The nation of under 9 million people maintains an amazing global ranking. Life expectancy stands at 83.9 years, and real GDP per capita is $82,000. This small, landlocked country has exports of $675 billion, and imports of $582 billion (2024).

Israel Founded in Switzerland?

“At Basel, I founded the Jewish State. If I said this aloud today, I would be greeted by universal laughter. In five years, perhaps, and certainly in fifty years, everyone will perceive it” (Theodor Herzl, Diary Entry, 3 September 1897).

Exactly on 3 September 1947, the United Nations Committee on Palestine adopted the plan—50 year to the day!