Ralph Lewin, the President of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities and the highest representative of Jews in Switzerland, has condemned last week's attack by Hamas on Israel, calling

it a "breach of civilization." However, he remains hopeful that part of the Israeli population would be willing to engage in dialogue.

Speaking in an interview with Swiss public radio, SRF, Lewin stated that the recent events are unimaginable, not only due to the brutality of the Palestinian militant group Hamas but also because Israel was unable to protect its citizens. This tragedy deeply resonates with Jewish communities worldwide, marking the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

In light of these circumstances, Lewin can comprehend Israel's desire to "eliminate Hamas" following such an attack. However, he raises the concern that both sides must eventually break free from this cycle of violence. If Israel proceeds with its plans to "destroy" Hamas and conquer the Gaza Strip, thousands of people are likely to lose their lives.

Lewin acknowledges that the current spiral of violence stemmed from an unprecedented terrorist attack. While it is clear that making peace with Hamas is an impossibility in the current situation, he also sees limits to Israel's actions. He suggests that Israel must adhere to international humanitarian law and show consideration for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

As for the broader peace process, Lewin has been dreaming of a peaceful solution since his student years. He is aware that both sides will eventually need to re-engage with each other. As a prerequisite, he believes that the Palestinians must find another interlocutor. If the Palestinians signal their willingness to negotiate, Lewin is convinced that part of the Israeli population will be open to dialogue. However, after recent events, this process is expected to be particularly challenging.

Despite doubts regarding the Israeli government's commitment to peace, Lewin believes Israel still possesses the capacity to make peace, citing the peace agreement with Egypt as an example.

In terms of the situation in Switzerland, Lewin welcomed the Swiss government's designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization. He stated that it is appropriate not to engage in negotiations with such an organization. However, he expressed concern that the current solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community in Switzerland may diminish, leading to an increase in anti-Semitic incidents.

Lewin calls for moderation and dialogue within Switzerland, emphasizing the importance of not transferring the conflict to the country. He personally stresses the necessity of maintaining a productive dialogue with Muslim authorities in Switzerland. Photo by Mari Wiki SB, Wikimedia commons.