​(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson)
 
Israel views the decision of the Government of Switzerland to accede to Palestinian demands to hold a conference of the signatory states of the Geneva Conventions on 17 December gravely.
 
Switzerland is the depositor of the Geneva Conventions, a technical function which concerns gathering and recording information relevant to the conventions. The role of the depositor obliges Switzerland to operate in a neutral and apolitical manner. The decision of the Swiss government to hold a conference of signatories raises serious doubts concerning its commitment to these principles as Switzerland lends a hand to the politicization of the Geneva Conventions in particular and the laws of war in general.
 
The conference of signatories is a political move whose sole purpose is to exploit the important stage of the Geneva Conventions for the sake of assailing Israel. This initiative is particularly outrageous given that the only two conferences held to date dealt with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while numerous other conflicts have gone on around the world, including in areas where horrific acts are being carried out at this very time.
 
This planned conference of signatories, which is rife with acute politicization, cannot be reconciled with the stated position of the Swiss government, and of other parties that support the conference, that they are acting for the neutral application of the rules of war.
 
Israel, of course, will not take part in the conference, along with other states that have made clear to the Swiss government their opposition to the conference. In light of the problematic and biased handling of the conference by the Swiss government, currently Israel is reexamining its position in regard to the other Swiss initiatives that concern international humanitarian law.
 
Israel calls on all states that hold the Geneva Conventions and the proper administration of their depositor close to their hearts not to attend the conference.