Letters to the Editor

In the rule-based order, international humanitarian law is disregarded, and today it seems that “anything goes”. Even when international law is disregarded, ICRC staff are on the ground in all conflict zones to provide the most urgently needed aid to those who have suffered greatly. These courageous aid workers are vitally dependent on Switzerland’s reliable, neutral policy in their dangerous work, otherwise they will be perceived as non-neutral and come under fire. A reversal is also urgently needed in European policy. The EU and NATO are two steamers heading for disaster. Turning a declining economy into a war economy brings back memories of very, very dark times. By aligning itself with these two undemocratic power structures, our government is heading in the same direction. Where are the representatives of the people who will keep a cool head and steer Switzerland in an independent direction, pursuing a genuine and honest policy of neutrality? Our history has shown that neutrality is a viable option, even in times of war.

Marianne Bürkli, Bronschhofen/SG (CH)

In view of the images and reports from the Gaza Strip, which have been informing us about the situation for months, I find the words of our German Federal Chancellor cynical. The people of Palestine have not only been “affected” for a long time, but have also been bombed and starved, their living conditions have been systematically destroyed, international humanitarian law is not only being “really violated now” (Merz), but has been massively violated for a long time. And it is high time that our Federal Chancellor not only “said” something, but also did something. There is “concern” for the people in the Gaza Strip, their situation is unbearable, there should be no policy of starvation! But there is, and not just for a few days! And there are other unbelievable atrocities that we hear little about here, but which we can learn about from those affected. The Israeli government ignores all evidence, e.g. from the International Court of Justice and many countries, as well as the opinion of a large part of the Israeli population, and continues the war unperturbed. The fact that Germany is historically indebted to Israel cannot justify its support for a crime against another people. On the contrary, Germany has a special obligation to put a stop to violence against all people and not to supply more and more weapons. Unfortunately, our government is far from doing this. Thank goodness that SPD MPs, after all part of our government, are now speaking out more clearly against the disaster in Gaza. For example, the MP Ralf Stegner, who is calling for an immediate end to the violation of international law, the humanitarian catastrophe and the prolongation of the situation by German weapons. Let us hope that the voices will increase and become louder!

Marilies Kupsch, Wachtberg (DE)