Geneva Grand Council –
Gaza: the Council of State referred to its copy
Asked to act in favor of a ceasefire and for humanitarian aid, the Council of State listed its actions so far. Without convincing.
Published today at 5:31 p.m.
UNRWA distributes bags of flour in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, October 31, 2024.
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- The Grand Council criticizes the response of the Council of State on Gaza.
- Sylvain Thévoz (PS) regrets the government’s inaction in the face of the urgent situation.
- Denis de Rougemont (Greens) considers the Geneva initiatives insufficient for Gaza.
- The Council of State reaffirms its humanitarian support.
The Grand Council asks the Council of State to become more involved in the search for a ceasefire in Gaza and for humanitarian aid. This Friday, deputies said they were “shocked” by the response made by the Executive to a motion dating from March. In the process, a majority returned its copy to the Council of State – only the PLR and the UDC refused.
Author of the motion, the socialist Sylvain Thévoz first recalled to what extent the government was slow to responddespite the urgency of the situation on site, which has only deteriorated since March.
Basically, the government college “does not respond in any way to our requests,” adds the MP. “What measures will the Council of State take? Will he act?
In his responsethe latter first emphasizes his concern about the deterioration of the general situation in the Middle East and the very high number of civilian victims.
He recalls that at his request, the Grand Council voted a year ago 5 million francs for the humanitarian activities on site of the ICRC and other organizations. “In its capacity as host authority of International Geneva, the Council of State is committed to facilitating initiatives that could arise or develop on our territory, with the aim of contributing to respect for international humanitarian law or to a settlement peaceful end to the conflict,” he adds.
Thus, we read, the Canton would be ready to assist Bern in organizing a conference of the high contracting parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention.
“Below our expectations”
“This response is below all our expectations,” comments Vert Denis de Rougemont. For the record, a doctor, privately and with his own funds, went to Gaza several months ago to provide assistance to children at risk of amputation. On site, everyone was surprised that it was not sent by the Geneva authorities. Geneva could at least organize a flight of this type.”
After expressing his suffering at seeing the dramatic situation worsen, PLR Alexandre de Senarclens asks: “What can the Council of State do? He has no skills in terms of diplomacy, his power is limited. His answer satisfies me. Does this Grand Council consider itself a mini-general assembly of the United Nations?
With 47 yes, 5 abstentions and 29 no, the motion and its response were referred to the Council of State.
CERN: other reference
At the same time, the Grand Council also expressed its bad mood regarding the position adopted by the government regarding the future CERN collider. Responding to a motion from the PLR asking it to support this project and to position itself in favor, the Council of State made a response along these lines.
In the vote, the request to return the copy to him obtained a tie of votes, the UDC and the MCG joining the left to say yes. The vote of the socialist president, Alberto Velasco, then made the difference.
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Armanios go has been a journalist in the Geneva section since August 2022 and covers cantonal politics in particular.More info
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