As the destruction of Gaza and the systematic erasure of Palestinian life continue, growing evidence points to the role of international financial institutions in sustaining Israel’s military operations. Human rights experts, including UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, have characterized these operations as grave breaches of international law, amounting to genocide.
A new report by the UN Special Rapporteur examines the involvement of financial actors—through investments in arms manufacturers and economic ties to entities linked to the Israeli military.
This panel will explore:
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The role and responsibility of Swiss financial institutions;
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Switzerland’s legal and ethical obligations under international humanitarian law;
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The implications for the financial sector, civil society, and politics.
SPEAKERS
- Francesca Albanese
UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory; international lawyer and co-author of Palestinian Refugees in International Law. Albanese has worked with OHCHR, UNRWA, and Georgetown University. Her mandate has addressed issues including self-determination, arbitrary detention, and genocide.
- Melissa O'Donnell
Research Advisor to the UN Special Rapporteur. Legal expert in human rights and conflict, contributing policy
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As the destruction of Gaza and the systematic erasure of Palestinian life continue, growing evidence points to the role of international financial institutions in sustaining Israel’s military operations. Human rights experts, including UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, have characterized these operations as grave breaches of international law, amounting to genocide.
A new report by the UN Special Rapporteur examines the involvement of financial actors—through investments in arms manufacturers and economic ties to entities linked to the Israeli military.
This panel will explore:
-
The role and responsibility of Swiss financial institutions;
-
Switzerland’s legal and ethical obligations under international humanitarian law;
-
The implications for the financial sector, civil society, and politics.
SPEAKERS
- Francesca Albanese
UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory; international lawyer and co-author of Palestinian Refugees in International Law. Albanese has worked with OHCHR, UNRWA, and Georgetown University. Her mandate has addressed issues including self-determination, arbitrary detention, and genocide.
- Melissa O'Donnell
Research Advisor to the UN Special Rapporteur. Legal expert in human rights and conflict, contributing policy and analysis to the mandate’s reporting on accountability and international law.
- Fadi Kassis
Founder and Director of Forte Securities, a London-based brokerage firm. With over 20 years in global financial markets, he offers insight into financial governance and institutional responsibility.
- Saleh Hijazi
Policy Coordinator at the BDS National Committee. Former Amnesty International MENA Deputy Director and co-author of the report “Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians”. He focuses on corporate and state complicity in occupation and apartheid.
📍Date: 04 July 2025
📌 Location: Zentral Wäscherei Zürich, Neue Hard 12, 8005 Zürich
Statement of Principle:
This event is rooted in international law, human rights and the uncompromising belief in the equal dignity of all people. We reject all forms of racism, including Islamophobia and antisemitism.
Criticism of state policies - including those of the Israeli government - must never be used to justify hatred against Jewish communities. Equally calls for justice for Palestinians must never be silenced or smeared as hate.
Our commitment is to truth, justice and accountability and that means defending the rights and safety of all people without exception.
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