List of pro-Palestinian protests in Switzerland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of pro-Palestinian protests in Switzerland including demonstrations, marches, sit-ins, direct actions, and campus encampments in support of Palestinian rights.
Pre-2023
Estimated attendance is either mentioned explicitly in the references or a midpoint is used, i.e., 50 when dozens are mentioned, 500 when hundreds are mentioned, and so on.
| Date | City/town | Estimated attendance | Description | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2008 |  Basel |
100 | Demonstration in the city center calling for an end of Israel's occupation of Palestine. | [1] |
| 31 December 2008 |  Zurich |
600 | Demonstration in the city center in protest of Israeli bombardments in Gaza. | [1] |
| 29 May 2015 | Zurich |
50 | Demonstration to expel Israel from FIFA. | [2] |
| 3 February 2018 |  Bern |
350 | Demonstration in the city center in solidarity with Palestine and against Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel. | [3] |
2023
| Date | City/town | Estimated attendance | Description | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 May 2023 | Zurich |
? | Demonstration in the city center on the occasion of the 75 years of the Nakba. | [4] |
| 14 October 2023 |  Geneva |
? | Demonstration in front of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. | [5] |
| 14 October 2023 | Bern |
5,000 | Demonstration in the city center. | [5] |
| 25 November 2023 | Geneva |
? | Demonstration outside the United Nations Office. | [6] |
2024
| Date | City/town | Estimated attendance | Description | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 January 2024 | Basel |
15,000 | Demonstration and march through the city center to commemorate the Global Day of Action for Gaza. This protest followed a prohibition imposed by several German-speaking Swiss cantons on similar activities. | [7] |
| 2 May 2024 |  Lausanne |
500 | Occupation of a building at the University of Lausanne. Lasted at least until 5 May. | [8] |
| 7 May 2024 | Geneva |
? | Occupation of a hall of the University of Geneva. Lasted until 15 May. Ended with police intervention. | [9][10] |
| 7 May 2024 | Lausanne |
50 | Demonstration at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. Ended with police intervention. | [10] |
| 7 May 2024 | Zurich |
50 | Occupation of the main entrance hall of the ETH Zurich. Ended with police intervention. Several protesters were charged with trespassing and 38 received penal orders. | [9][11] |
| 12 May 2024 | Bern |
60 | Occupation of a building at the University of Bern. Lasted until 15 May. Ended with police intervention. | [12][13] |
2025
| Date | City/town | Estimated attendance | Description | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 January 2025 | Geneva |
2,200 | Demonstration in the city center. | [14] |
| 8 May 2025 | Geneva |
? | Occupation of a building at the University of Geneva. Lasted until 15 May. Ended with protesters leaving on their own. | [15][16] |
| 11 May 2025 | Basel |
500 | Demonstration outside the "Turquoise Carpet" event of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in protest of Israel's participation in the contest. | [17][18] |
| 25 May 2025 | Bern |
2,000 | Demonstration and march through the city center. | [19][20] |
| 27 September 2025 | Geneva |
6,000-10,000 | Demonstration in the city center. | [21][22] |
| 2 October 2025 | Bern |
500 | Demonstration in the city center in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla activists that were kidnapped by Israel in international waters. Some train and tram traffic was blocked. | [23] |
| 2 October 2025 | Basel |
? | Demonstration in the city center. | [23] |
| 2 October 2025 |  Lucerne |
? | Demonstration in the city center. | [23] |
| 2 October 2025 |  Lugano |
? | Demonstration in the city center. | [23] |
| 2 October 2025 |  Sion |
? | Demonstration in the city center. | [23] |
| 2 October 2025 | Lausanne |
500-1,000 | Demonstration in the city center. | [23] |
| 2 October 2025 | Zurich |
1,000 | Demonstration at Helvetiaplatz. | [23] |
| 2 October 2025 | Geneva |
3,000 | Demonstration at the Lisa Girardin Square. | [23][24] |
| 11 October 2025 | Bern |
5,000 | Demonstration near Bern's main railway station and march towards the Federal Palace. Ended with police intervention, including the use of water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets. 536 protesters were taken by the police for identity checks. At least 326 protesters and 18 officers were injured. | [25][26][27][28] |
| 19 October 2025 | Geneva |
1,800-2,000 | Demonstration and march through the city center. | [29] |
| 8 November 2025 | Geneva |
5,000 | Demonstration and march through the city center. | [30] |
| 29 November 2025 | Geneva |
5,000 | Demonstration and march through the city center to commemorate International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. | [31] |
| 9 December 2025 | Geneva |
50 | Demonstration outside Bel-Air. | [32] |
See also
References
- 1 2 swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (31 December 2008). "Protestors call for end to Israeli attacks". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Staff, ToI (29 May 2015). "Protesters in Zurich call to kick Israel out of FIFA". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (3 February 2018). "Protest held in Bern against Trump's Jerusalem move". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ samidoun (21 May 2023). "Samidoun joins #Nakba75 events in Switzerland highlighting 75 years of Palestinian, Arab and international resistance". Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Thousands demonstrate in Switzerland in protest of Israel's aggression on Gaza". WAFA Agency. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Photos: Thousands rally around the world against Israeli strikes on Gaza". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Carbonaro, Giulia (13 January 2024). "Switzerland pro-Palestinian activists bash the country's 'neutrality' during new protest". Euronews. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
- ↑ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (5 May 2024). "Protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 "University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave". Swiss Info. 7 May 2024. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- 1 2 "TRT World - Students in Germany, Switzerland stage pro-Palestine demonstrations". www.trtworld.com. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ Law, Matteo Piccioli | Maastricht U. Faculty of; NL (28 January 2026). "UN experts concerned by prosecution of ETH Zurich pro-Palestine protesters". www.jurist.org. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (13 May 2024). "Swiss pro-Palestine protest reaches University of Bern". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Swiss police clear pro-Palestinian students protesting in Bern". SWI swissinfo.ch. 15 May 2024. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ↑ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (26 January 2025). "Palestinian solidarity demonstration draws 2,000 people in Geneva". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Switzerland: Students at University of Geneva reignite pro-Palestine protests. Retrieved 6 April 2026 – via www.newsflare.com.
- ↑ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (16 May 2025). "Pro-Palestinian protesters end University of Geneva demo". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "United by music, divided on Israel: Eurovision tensions bubble up in famously neutral Switzerland". NBC News. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision 2025: Politics, scandals and front-runners". dw.com. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Muhammad, Mooman (27 May 2025). "Massive Protest in Bern & Switzerland's Moral Imperative to Act on Palestine". S2Jnews. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Heller, Mathilda (25 May 2025). "Smashing windows, setting off fireworks: Pro-Palestine protesters swarm several cities". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
- ↑ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (28 September 2025). "Thousands show solidarity with Palestine in Switzerland". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Thousands demonstrate in Swiss cities in solidarity with Gaza". blue News. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (3 October 2025). "Swiss cities see Gaza flotilla protests". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Protests erupt across Europe against Israeli attack on Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla". Anadolu Agency (in Turkish). Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (16 December 2025). "Amnesty criticises police violence at Bern Gaza demo". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (12 October 2025). "Thousands join pro-Palestinian protest in Bern amid clashes with police". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (12 October 2025). "Pro-Palestine protest in Bern: 18 police officers injured". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Le Poidevin, Olivia (13 October 2025). "Eighteen Swiss police officers injured in clashes with pro-Palestine protesters". Reuters. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
- ↑ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (20 October 2025). "Around 2,000 people attend pro-Palestine demo in Geneva". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Thousands march in Geneva to show solidarity with Palestinian people". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Thousands march in Geneva to show solidarity with Palestinian people". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Dozens rally in Geneva to demand end to Gaza 'genocide,' accuse Switzerland of complicity". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 6 April 2026.