The motion, which was rejected by a vote of 131-61, called for recognizing a Palestinian state on the condition that Hamas release all Israeli hostages.

By JNS

Switzerland’s House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected a motion to recognize Palestinian statehood by a vote of 131 to 61, with two abstentions.

The motion was put forward by National Council member Fabian Molina of the Social Democratic Party, with the support of the Greens.

It called for the recognition of “Palestine” on the condition that the Israeli hostages kidnapped during the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7 be released.

According to a report in SWI swissinfo.ch, “the tone was, at times, emotional.”

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has stated that Bern’s position is supportive of an Israeli state and Palestinian state side by side with recognized borders.

“However, the Federal Council does not believe that the time is right to recognise Palestine,” the article stated.

Australia’s Parliament last week voted down by 80-5 a proposal to recognize a “State of Palestine.”

The Swiss rejection comes as a number of other European countries recognize Palestinian statehood in the wake of the Hamas-led attack on Oct.7 and ensuing war in Gaza, with Slovenia becoming the latest to make the move.