1. Dezember 2025|
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|3 days agoSwiss Activists in Gaza Flotilla Billed by Government for Consular Aid
Swiss participants in last autumn's Gaza flotilla who were detained by Israeli authorities have received bills from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to reimburse the costs of consular protection and emergency assistance.
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Generated IllustrationKey Takeaways
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- Swiss participants in the autumn 2024 Gaza flotilla were detained by Israeli authorities after attempting to breach the maritime blockade.
- The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has billed the activists for consular protection and emergency assistance.
- Swiss law permits the government to charge for exceptional consular costs, especially if a citizen knowingly took a high-risk action or ignored travel warnings.
- Activist Sébastien Dubugnon claims the consular assistance was 'minimal', citing a prison visit that lasted only ten minutes.
- The Swiss policy of charging for such services reflects a cultural emphasis on personal responsibility.
By The Numbers
CHF 300 to CHF 1,047
Range of bills per person
20
Total number of participants billed
300
CHF bill received by Sébastien Dubugnon
They Said
"The representative was asked to leave almost immediately and told us there was nothing he could do."