Summary

Switzerland opens a two-day conference on combating antisemitism in St. Gallen under the OSCE presidency. Federal Councillor Cassis warns of the worldwide increase in antisemitic attacks, which have become significantly more intense since the Hamas attacks in October 2023. The conference brings together OSCE states, international organizations, and civil society to develop prevention measures. Key focuses are raising awareness among young people, online violence, and hate in sports. The goal is to translate existing OSCE commitments into concrete, practice-oriented measures.

People

Topics

  • Antisemitism and hate
  • Prevention among young people
  • Online violence and discrimination
  • Sport as a space for inclusion
  • OSCE commitments

Clarus Lead

Switzerland uses its 2026 OSCE presidency to systematically place antisemitism on the international agenda. Under the leadership of Federal Councillor Cassis, a conference is taking place in St. Gallen that responds to the alarming increase in antisemitic attacks worldwide. The conference links political dialogue with expert knowledge and civil society to develop effective countermeasures. This is relevant for decision-makers in security, education, and social cohesion.

Detailed Summary

Antisemitic attacks have increased in intensity and visibility worldwide. International developments such as the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza have significantly exacerbated this trend. Switzerland is also affected, as evidenced by rising numbers of recorded attacks in public spaces. In his opening address, Federal Councillor Cassis emphasizes that the resurgence of antisemitism more than 80 years after the Holocaust is "deeply disturbing" and that the formula "never again" is not being fulfilled as long as hate turns into violence.

The conference focuses on understanding the spiral that leads to intolerance and discrimination. Key priorities are prevention among young people exposed to online violence, as well as sports, where tensions frequently escalate. Cassis emphasizes: "Hate begins with words, with stigmatization, and with indifference" – which is why early action is essential. The discussions are based on new data from the ODIHR (Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) and the FRA (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights).

The conference builds on the OSCE Declaration on Antisemitism from 2014, which was also adopted under Swiss presidency. The goal of the Swiss presidency is to keep the fight against antisemitism and intolerance permanently on the political agenda and to strengthen prevention, community protection, and societal resilience.

Key Messages

  • Global Escalation: Antisemitic attacks are increasing worldwide; the Gaza conflict has exacerbated the trend.
  • Switzerland Affected: Rising numbers of recorded attacks in public spaces are also evident in Switzerland.
  • Prevention Focus: The conference prioritizes early detection among young people, online hate, and sports as a conflict area.
  • Political Continuity: The Swiss OSCE presidency anchors the fight against antisemitism permanently in the international agenda.
  • Practice-Oriented Approach: Existing OSCE commitments are to be translated into concrete, implementable measures.

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality: What criteria do Switzerland and OSCE states use to record and define antisemitic attacks? Are the figures comparable, or do different national recording methods distort the overall picture?

  2. Causality: To what extent can the increase in antisemitic attacks be directly attributed to the Gaza conflict, and what other factors (e.g., online radicalization, economic crises) play a role?

  3. Conflicts of Interest: Which states with questionable human rights records are participating in the conference, and how could this affect the credibility of prevention measures?

  4. Feasibility: How are "concrete, practice-oriented measures" actually to be implemented in countries with different legal systems and resources? What enforcement mechanisms are planned?

  5. Prevention vs. Suppression: How is it ensured that prevention measures targeting young people do not become surveillance or restrictions on freedom of expression?

  6. Sports Sector: Sports are mentioned as a conflict area – are concrete measures for sports associations missing, or are these being developed separately?

  7. Long-Term Impact: What mechanisms guarantee that conference results will endure beyond the Swiss presidency and not be shelved?

Sources

Primary Source: OSCE Conference on Combating Antisemitism – Press Release, State Secretariat for Foreign Affairs (FDFA), February 9, 2026

Verification Status: ✓ February 9, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: February 9, 2026