As the destruction of Gaza and the systematic erasure of Palestinian life continue, growing evidence points to the role of international financial institutions in sustaining Israel’s military operations. Human rights experts, including UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, have characterized these operations as grave breaches of international law, amounting to genocide.

A new report by the UN Special Rapporteur examines the involvement of financial actors—through investments in arms manufacturers and economic ties to entities linked to the Israeli military.

This panel will explore:

The role and responsibility of Swiss financial institutions;

Switzerland’s legal and ethical obligations under international humanitarian law;

The implications for the financial sector, civil society, and politics.

SPEAKERS
• Francesca Albanese – UN Special Rapporteur

• Carlo Sommaruga - National Councilor - SP
• Melissa O’Donnell – Legal advisor to the UN mandate
• Fadi Kassis – Financial markets expert
• Saleh Hijazi – Policy coordinator, BDS National Committee