Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Israel are good, marked by mutual trust and close cooperation in culture, science and, more recently, innovation. In addition, thanks to good economic relations, Israel is a major trading partner in the MENA region.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Israel
MENA Strategy
On 14 October 2020 the Federal Council adopted a specific strategy for the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA Strategy) for the 2021-2024 period. It identifies five thematic priorities: peace, security and human rights; migration and protection of people in need; sustainable development; economic affairs, finance, science; digitalisation and new technologies.
These priorities are weighted differently across the various regions and countries. Switzerland's three priority thematic areas for the Middle East region are armed and political conflicts, economic development and governance. Switzerland is also addressing the needs of young people by promoting the development of vocational training, thus facilitating access to the labour market.
Switzerland's priorities in Israel
The MENA Strategy 2021-24 identifies the following priorities for Switzerland in Israel:
1. Peace process
Switzerland offers its good offices to facilitate the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. It calls on all key actors in the region to participate in this dialogue and to comply with international law.
Switzerland's position on the Middle East conflict
2. Economy and financial market relations
Within the framework of the existing agreements and memorandums of understanding, relations are being strengthened in the economic and financial services sector with the aim of improving mutual market access for Israeli and Swiss companies.
Switzerland and Israel enjoy a high volume of trade. Israel is Switzerland's third-largest trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa. A free trade agreement was concluded between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Israel in 1993. In general, bilateral economic and financial relations have intensified in recent years, with the aim of promoting trade and collaboration between Swiss and Israeli companies.
In 2021, the volume of trade between the two countries stood at CHF 1.6 billion.
3. Science diplomacy and new technologies
Scientific cooperation in various areas (fintech, cybertech, medtech, tech4good, climate etc.) following a bottom-up approach, can also help build the confidence to deal with the geopolitical challenges.
Researchers and artists who are citizens of Israel can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists
4. Green diplomacy
Joint projects on the environment and climate change (green diplomacy) allow knowledge transfer for implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals set out in the 2030 Agenda.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE)
Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Trade statistics, Swiss Federal Customs Administration (FCA)
Other areas of cooperation
Cultural exchanges
Switzerland regularly participates in events to promote the French language as part of the International Day of La Francophonie and also the Italian culture week (Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo). It also organises various cultural events.
Swiss nationals in Israel
In 2022, there were 22,241 Swiss citizens living in Israel.
History of bilateral relations
The founding of the state of Israel is closely linked to Switzerland: the first Zionist Congress was held in Basel in 1897, and 15 of the 22 subsequent Zionist Congresses were also held in Switzerland.
Before the state of Israel was established in Palestine, Switzerland maintained a consulate in Jerusalem (accredited to the British Mandate authority) and a consular agency in Tel Aviv.
In 1949, Switzerland recognised the new state and opened a consulate in Tel Aviv, which was upgraded to an embassy in 1958.
