GENEVA (EJP)---The populist and xenophobic right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which was the biggest winner of general elections on Sunday, is bordering on what can be considered as anti-Semitism, Alfred Donath, president of the Swiss Federation of Jewish communities (FSCI), told European Jewish Press on Monday.
The anti-Europe party, led by Justice Minister Christoph Blocher, consolidated its position as the country’s leading force after a bitter campaign marred by charges of racism.
Commenting on the results of the vote, Donath told EJP: "They are not anti-Semitic because they care to avoid any outburst but their victory is certainly a kind of encouragement for anti-Semites to express themselves."
The SVP, also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre (UDC), gained seven parliamentary seats to 62 in the 200-seat National Council or lower house of parliament, while the Green party added five.
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Justice Minister Christoph Blocher, head of the Swiss People's Party (SVP), also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre (UDC). |
The Socialists, the second largest force in the country, were set to lose nine seats, leaving them with 43, while the business-friendly Radical Party, which has made anti-Semitic statements, was also set for sharp losses, shedding five seats to 31.
Donath said the Federation of Jewish communities has strongly reacted in the press against the SVP’s anti-foreigners positions.
One of the party's campaign rallies ended in a riot, while a poster showing three white sheep booting out a black sheep drew accusations of racism.
“For us Jews, foreigners are playing a very important role in Switzerland,” Donath said. He referred to Torah, the first five books of the Bible, in which one can read: "Remember that you were a foreigner in the land of Egypt."
"On the other side, this party has shown towards Israel a position which is the closest to ours,” Donath added.
"Not because they love Israel but because they believe that Israel and the Mideast are not Switzerland’s business."
The Swiss Jewish leader acknowledged that Jews have had problems with all the Swiss political parties.
With the Greens, for example, when two of their MPs retuning from a trip to Iran said they do not believe Tehran had any intention to use the atomic arm.
He also pointed to the "strong pro-Palestinian position" of the Greens.
"They organize and attend almost all anti-Israel demonstrations," he said.
The Jewish community, he added, has had the same problem with the Socialist party, in particular with Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey whose statements "are always unbalanced and pro-Palestinian." "At every occasion, the Greens and Socialists call for a boycott of Israeli products," he said.