This is a list of pro-Palestinian protests in Switzerland including demonstrations, marches, sit-ins, direct actions, and campus encampments in support of Palestinian rights.
List Estimated attendance is either mentioned explicitly in the references or a midpoint is used, i.e., 50 when dozens are mentioned, 500 when hundreds are mentioned, and so on.
Pre-2023
DateCity/townEstimated attendanceDescriptionRef(s)31 December 2008100Demonstration in the city center calling for an end of Israel's occupation of Palestine.31 December 2008 Zurich600Demonstration in the city center in protest of Israeli bombardments in Gaza.29 May 2015 Zurich50Demonstration to expel Israel from FIFA.3 February 2018350Demonstration in the city center in solidarity with Palestine and against Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel.
2023
DateCity/townEstimated attendanceDescriptionRef(s)20 May 2023 Zurich?Demonstration in the city center on the occasion of the 75 years of the Nakba.14 October 2023?Demonstration in front of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.14 October 20235,000Demonstration in the city center.25 November 2023?Demonstration outside the United Nations Office.
2024
DateCity/townEstimated attendanceDescriptionRef(s)13 January 202415,000Demonstration and march through the city center to commemorate the Global Day of Action for Gaza. This protest followed a prohibition imposed by several German-speaking Swiss cantons on similar activities.2 May 2024 Lausanne500Occupation of a building at the University of Lausanne. Lasted at least until 5 May.7 May 2024?Occupation of a hall of the University of Geneva. Lasted until 15 May. Ended with police intervention.7 May 2024 Lausanne50Demonstration at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. Ended with police intervention.7 May 2024 Zurich50Occupation of the main entrance hall of the ETH Zurich. Ended with police intervention. Several protesters were charged with trespassing and 38 received penal orders.12 May 202460Occupation of a building at the University of Bern. Lasted until 15 May. Ended with police intervention.
2025
DateCity/townEstimated attendanceDescriptionRef(s)25 January 20252,200Demonstration in the city center.8 May 2025?Occupation of a building at the University of Geneva. Lasted until 15 May. Ended with protesters leaving on their own.11 May 2025500Demonstration outside the "Turquoise Carpet" event of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in protest of Israel's participation in the contest.25 May 20252,000Demonstration and march through the city center.27 September 20256,000-10,000Demonstration in the city center.2 October 2025500Demonstration in the city center in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla activists that were kidnapped by Israel in international waters. Some train and tram traffic was blocked.2 October 2025?Demonstration in the city center.2 October 2025 Lucerne?Demonstration in the city center.2 October 2025 Lugano?Demonstration in the city center.2 October 2025 Sion?Demonstration in the city center.2 October 2025 Lausanne500-1,000Demonstration in the city center.2 October 2025 Zurich1,000Demonstration at Helvetiaplatz.2 October 20253,000Demonstration at the Lisa Girardin Square.11 October 20255,000Demonstration near Bern's main railway station and march towards the Federal Palace. Ended with police intervention, including the use of water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets. 536 protesters were taken by the police for identity checks. At least 326 protesters and 18 officers were injured.19 October 20251,800-2,000Demonstration and march through the city center.8 November 20255,000Demonstration and march through the city center.29 November 20255,000Demonstration and march through the city center to commemorate International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.9 December 202550Demonstration outside Bel-Air.
2026
DateCity/townEstimated attendanceDescriptionRef(s)7 Jan 202620Counter demonstration to a 100 participants' silent march "for Israel and against antisemitism". Pro-Palestinians counter-demonstrators waves Palestine flags and shouted "from the river to the sea".13 Jun 2026 Lausanne100A pro-Palestinian flotilla demo in Lake Geneva involving around 20 boats. Participants displayed Palestinian flags and banners and chanted "free Palestine". 14 Jun 202620,000Protest against the G7 summit in France. Marchers included pro-Palestinian sympathisers carrying slogans such as “Antisemitic never; anti-Zionist always”.29 August 2026200-300Unauthorised pro-Palestinian demonstration under the slogan "Death to Zionism"; police surrounded the demonstrators and prevented a planned march.8 Sep 202650An unauthorized rally titled "Basel stands with Palestine".
See also
Gaza war protests Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Lists of pro-Palestinian protests
References