Switzerland Archives - CrossFireArarbia

BoP and The Lurking Devil!

Saleem Ayoub Quna
March 5, 2026

Eight months ago and precisely in June 2025, the US and Israel launched their first combined “Midnight Hammer” military operation against Iran, in an attempt to obliterate its controversial nuclear facilities, set since 2018, to be settled through negotiations between the US and Iran. Prior to that strike, not Ukraine nor Venezuela or Greenland, but Gaza was the hottest issue on Trump’ international agenda, as he was applying the final touches on his anticipated peace plan for the devastated tiny strip! On 26 January this year, i.e. nearly a month ago, Trump from Davos, in Switzerland, proudly announced the birth of BoP, “The Board of Peace”, which he would preside over forever.

To enhance his initiative’s chances to succeed, Trump had invited world leaders to join his new born club for peace. Those who responded favorably had little choice to do otherwise, and some of them promised to contribute billions of dollars to make the plan work. Other big shots such as Russia, France or China were either not interested or invited!

The last one to join the club, but reluctantly, was no other than the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, despite his direct involvement in the thick of the matter. Netanyahu thought the plan was naïve and amateurish in more than one aspect! So he would send his Foreign Minister to attend the signing ceremony in Davos, for his own thoughts were focused on other more important issues that would take place later! Regardless of Netanyahu’s caveats, the Trump BoP seemed to be one of few feasible options to stop the violence and killing committed by Israel.

in Gaza, and a shy start towards a peaceful transition in Gaza and beyond despite the many loopholes.
On this occasion Trump said: “This is a big, big day, a beautiful day, potentially one of the great days ever in civilization”. The he added: “I am not talking about Gaza. Gaza is one thing, but we are talking about
much beyond Gaza. The whole deal, everything getting solved. It is called peace in the Middle East”. While this BoP was hailed as an achievement for Trump’s diplomacy, envisaged by his top capable advisor to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and his assistant Jared Kushner, Trump’s trusted son-in-law, it whistled disaster in Netanyahu’s ears.

From this man’s point of view, if the BoP was put on track of the peace train, let alone its arrival at its desired destination, it would mean one thing and nothing else: the end of Gaza tragedy which also meant the end of Netanyahu’s political career. For him, it looked like a trap that he had, knowingly but unwillingly, a role in setting up. At this crucial moment the manipulative devil and the survival instinct in
Netanyahu, were awakened and pushed him to embark on planning a reversal of this momentum. He had to end this nonsense talk about peace for Gaza, let alone beyond! For certain, he regretted his consent to the suspension of the Midnight-Hammer strike back in June against Iran. Now time is running short for him again.

He needs to take a big and last gamble to divert Trump’s current menacing approach to solve the thorny issues in this region. He, prematurely, and ahead of his originally scheduled visit to the US, books
a meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, thus effecting his sixth meeting with Trump in less than a year!

There, he presents his case: Today, he tells Trump, Iran is the biggest real danger facing Israel and the free world led by the US; Iran is stockpiling an arsenal of all kinds of deadly missiles; the majority of
Iranians want the US to help them topple the regime which is massacring the protesters in the streets; Iranian negotiating team are just buying more time; it is now or a never again chance to finish this
nightmare called Iran, after its proxies in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Gaza and Lebanon were defeated earlier.
Trump submissively listened, as Netanyahu managed to put a hold on every other item on Trump’s agenda, including his cherished BoP project for which he hoped to be nominated for the Nobel Prize for
peace!

Today as the war against Iran goes into its sixth day, two things and plus are crystal clear; there will be no peace prizes, and there will lot of havoc and chaos on the ground, plus the devil in Netanyahu, will be the happiest breathing creature around, for the time being!

News

More Countries Quit Eurovision in Protest…

CrossFireArabia
December 13, 2025

Ireland’s Charlie McGettigan, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, said he will return his trophy in protest of Israel’s continued participation in the competition, joining Swiss singer Nemo, last year’s champion, in the symbolic move.

McGettigan said he plans to send the trophy to the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, in a video posted on social media. McGettigan won the contest with fellow Irish singer Paul Harrington.

He said Nemo had contacted him online to explain the decision to return the 2024 trophy.

“They came across as sincere and a very intelligent person and stated their case very well, and therefore in support of Nemo, I would like to return my trophy to the EBU as well,” said Harrington. “Unfortunately, our win was in 1994 and I can’t lay my hands on whatever trophy we received back then, but if I do find it, I will return my trophy as well.”

The move comes amid a broader controversy surrounding Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision.

Following confirmation last week that Israel would remain in the competition, broadcasters in five countries — Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain — announced they would withdraw from the 2026 contest according to Anadolu.

News

EuroMed Condemns Arrest of Palestinian Journalist Ali Abu Nimah in Zurich

CrossFireArabia
January 26, 2025

The Swiss authorities’ arrest of Ali Abu Nimah, the journalist and executive director of Electronic Intifada, before his participation at a pro-Palestine solidarity event in Zurich is strongly condemned.

His arrest is a concerning and dangerous development that reflects a growing trend in Western governments to censor free speech and target journalists and activists who document the suffering of victims and stand up for Palestinian rights, all in blatant defiance of pressure and incitement.

Following hours of questioning at Zurich airport on Friday, Abu Nimah was taken into custody before his planned speech tour about the Israeli occupation and the persecution of Palestinians.

This arbitrary arrest gives the false impression that showing solidarity with the victims of the Israeli occupation peacefully is now illegal.

The action taken by Swiss authorities is extremely concerning, as it marks an unprecedented low level of respect for human rights, particularly in a nation that has long been known for upholding democratic principles and protecting fundamental liberties.

Targeting journalists and human rights advocates is indicative of a significant decline in European governments’ dedication to upholding human rights and freedom of expression. Additionally, this arrest is part of a larger campaign that has seen harassment and similar arrests in other European nations, demonstrating the growing extent of repression and limitations on Palestinian rights advocates.

The Swiss authorities must immediately and unconditionally release “Ali Abu Nimah” and ensure respect for his legal and human rights.

All international organisations, institutions, and journalists’ unions must express their strong opposition to these persistent abuses and seek to protect the rights of journalists and activists, particularly those who represent under-represented groups.

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor