WJC 90 | President of the Swiss Confederation H.E. Mr. Guy Parmelin Gala Dinner Remarks

WJC honored Itzik and Talik Gvili, the parents of slain hostage Ran Gvili, with the Resilience Award during a ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, marking 90 years since WJC’s founding.

A 24-year-old police officer, Ran Gvili left home on October 7, 2023, to respond to invading Hamas terrorists, before he himself was killed and taken to Gaza. Through his bravery, he saved the residents of Kibbutz Alumim.

Ran Gvili was the last of the hostages to be returned, finally coming home for burial in Israel in January 2026.

Addressing the gathering, President of the Swiss Confederation H.E. Mr. Guy Parmelin reflected on his country’s historic role as a center of diplomacy and international cooperation, while welcoming the return of the World Jewish Congress to the city in which it was founded in 1936.

“Switzerland shares the WJC’s conviction that it is possible to bring peace to the Middle East and to address the concerns of the Palestinian people as well. Switzerland is committed to supporting a democratic Israel that adheres to international standards,” Parmelin affirmed.