Key Takeaways
- Swiss consumer confidence declined in July to -32.8, falling below economists' expectations of -30.0 and marking a slight deterioration from the previous month's -32.2.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has intensified his criticism of the Israeli government, urging an immediate reversal of its latest actions in Gaza.
- Starmer explicitly called Israel's escalating military action in Gaza "wrong," highlighting growing international concern over the conflict and the humanitarian situation.
- This diplomatic pressure from the UK is part of a broader international effort, with the UK conditionally prepared to recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes substantive steps to address the crisis.
Swiss consumer confidence deteriorated in July 2025, registering a reading of -32.8. This figure came in weaker than the estimated -30.0 and represented a slight decline from June's -32.2, according to data from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The dip indicates a weakening sentiment among Swiss consumers, which could impact future spending and economic activity in the country.
Concurrently, geopolitical tensions remain high as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has escalated his criticism of the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. Starmer urged an immediate reversal of Israel's latest moves, explicitly stating that the escalation of military action in the region is "wrong."
The Prime Minister's remarks underscore growing international pressure on Israel amidst the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Starmer's stance aligns with a broader diplomatic push, with the UK conditionally prepared to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. This recognition is contingent on Israel taking "substantive steps" to address the humanitarian situation, allow more aid into Gaza, and commit to a long-term peace process leading to a two-state solution.
This diplomatic move by the UK, following similar commitments from other European allies like France, marks a significant shift in policy and reflects increasing global frustration over the conflict's impact. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly criticized Starmer's position, viewing it as a reward for Hamas and a potential threat to regional stability. The evolving geopolitical landscape in the Middle East continues to be a key area of focus for international relations and could have broader implications for global markets through its impact on risk sentiment.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.