According to an investigation by Swiss public broadcaster RTS, summarized by swissinfo.ch, Swiss companies continued to export so‑called dual-use goods to Israel after the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. The RTS inquiry found that, between October 2023 and April 2024, Swiss authorities issued 20 export permits for dual-use items destined for Israel, covering deliveries by 17 different companies. Dual-use goods are products that can serve both civilian and military purposes, such as specialized components that may be integrated into weapons systems or military platforms. Swissinfo.ch reports that these exports went ahead despite mounting political and civil society criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
As reported by RTS and cited by advocacy platform Stop Complicity, the value of Swiss dual-use exports to Israel rose sharply over this period. The group, referencing RTS and financial journalist Myret Zaki, says exports of dual-use goods from Switzerland to Israel reached around 16.7 million Swiss francs in 2024 and continued to increase into the first quarter of 2025. These figures are presented in the context of long-standing military and industrial cooperation between the two countries, including a 2013 defense cooperation agreement. The reporting indicates that trade in sensitive goods was not suspended during the Gaza conflict.
How have critics and legal experts reacted?
Swissinfo.ch reports that the continued export of dual-use items has provoked criticism from lawyers and human rights advocates who argue that such trade risks making Switzerland complicit in alleged violations of international law in Gaza. Anadolu Agency and Middle East Monitor, citing Swiss lawyer Irene Wettstein Martin and other legal professionals, say a group of 25 lawyers has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. They accuse the authorities of aiding and abetting genocide through continued military and dual‑use exports to Israel.
According to these lawyers, quoted by Anadolu and Middle East‑based outlets, Switzerland’s inclusion on a UN‑prepared list of states allegedly implicated in the Gaza genocide underscores the seriousness of the allegations. Wettstein Martin told Anadolu that exports of military equipment and dual‑use goods to Israel were worth about 16.7 million Swiss francs in 2024 and rose to roughly 25 million in 2025. She and her colleagues argue that, by authorizing such deliveries during the conflict, Switzerland undermines its traditional image as a neutral state and guardian of international humanitarian law.
Supporting details on export controls and company links
Swissinfo.ch explains that dual-use exports are governed by Swiss export control law and require government licenses, which are assessed on criteria that include human rights considerations and international obligations. RTS reporting, referenced by Stop Complicity, states that, in addition to dual-use licenses, 21 export permits for specific military goods were granted to four Swiss companies in the same October 2023–April 2024 period. The advocacy group claims that some of the exported components are used in systems such as the Hermes 900 drone, which has been deployed in Gaza.
Broader reporting cited by swissinfo.ch also highlights Switzerland’s wider economic ties to companies linked to Israel’s military operations. Business and human rights organizations have raised questions about technology firms with a presence in Switzerland, such as US data analytics company Palantir, whose tools allegedly support Israeli targeting systems in Gaza, according to materials shared by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. These concerns feed into a wider debate about the responsibilities of Swiss-based firms and regulators in conflict situations.
What are the implications and possible next steps?
The swissinfo.ch coverage indicates that the revelations about continued dual‑use exports have intensified pressure on Bern to review its export control policies toward conflict zones. Critics argue that, in light of the high civilian toll in Gaza and proceedings at international courts, Switzerland should suspend or more strictly limit authorizations for dual-use and military goods destined for Israel. The ICC complaint lodged by Swiss lawyers could further raise the stakes for policymakers, even though any legal outcome would likely take years.
At the same time, Switzerland has sought to defend its export control system as rules‑based and aligned with its international obligations, while emphasizing its humanitarian role in the Middle East. Future developments may include parliamentary scrutiny, potential legislative proposals to tighten controls on dual-use exports, and closer monitoring of companies whose products might be used in conflict. For now, the RTS and swissinfo.ch reports show that Swiss firms continued to supply dual-use goods to Israel well into the Gaza war, placing Switzerland’s long‑standing commitment to neutrality and human rights under renewed examination.
