Zurich security director does not want anti-Israel rallies
Published: Thursday, Nov 9th 2023, 05:10
Updated At: Thursday, Nov 9th 2023, 07:33
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Zurich Security Director and Government President Mario Fehr (non-party) has spoken out against anti-Israel demonstrations in Swiss squares. He considers them to be negligent in the current situation, as he told the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung".
Anti-Israel rallies can quickly degenerate and are difficult to control, Fehr said in the interview published on Thursday. "I have strongly advised the city's head of security not to authorize any more Palestine demonstrations in the current dangerous situation," he said.
It has nothing to do with freedom of expression if hate slogans are chanted and demonstrations are infiltrated by extremists, said the cantonal security director. There is nothing wrong with vigils and silent participation in public spaces.
Agreement with Berne
Fehr's statements sounded similar to those of his Bernese counterpart Philippe Müller (FDP) in the Tamedia interview published the previous day. Both security directors looked to Germany with concern. There was a danger that extremists from Germany or other countries would come to Switzerland.
Last Friday, banners calling for the establishment of an Islamist caliphate, among other things, were displayed in the German city of Essen. "Such hate-filled demonstrations are now rightly no longer permitted in German cities," said Fehr.
Different handling
Swiss cities have sovereignty over authorizations for demonstrations in their squares and streets. For the time being, the city of Bern is no longer authorizing large demonstrations and parades in the city centre. The regulation applies from November 17 until Christmas, as the city government announced on Wednesday.
A temporary ban on demonstrations was imposed in the city of Basel last weekend. Basel's Director of Justice and Security Stephanie Eymann (LDP) defended this on Wednesday with the tense situation in connection with the Middle East conflict. According to Fehr, the city of Zurich has approved a large Palestine rally for next Saturday.
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