Finland–Palestine relations

Finnish-Palestinian relations
Map indicating locations of Finland and Palestine

Finland
Palestine

Finland–Palestine relations refer to foreign relations between Finland and the State of Palestine.[1] Finland supports a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.[2] Finland does not recognize Palestine as an independent state.[3]

Taissir Al Adjouri is the Palestinian Ambassador to Finland.[3] There is a Representative Office of Finland in Ramallah.[4]

History

Palestine opened a representative office in Finland in the 1980s.[2] Finland started cooperating with the Palestinians in development in 1994.[5] Finland opened a representative office in Ramallah in 1999.[2]

In 2014, Finland upgraded its office in Ramallah to a diplomatic post and made the head an ambassador.[2] Finland allocated 24 million Euro to Palestine for the 2021 to 2024 period covering education, state building, civil society, and strengthening resilience.[5] It provided 2 million Euro to hospitals in East Jerusalem in 2021.[6] It signed a multi year agreement with United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East on 29 March 2023.[7] Finland's aid is focused on East Jerusalem, Gaza, and Area C of West Bank.[8]

Finland condemned Hamas following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and launched a review of its aid to Palestine.[9] The review submitted its report in December confirming no funds of Finland went to Hamas.[10] Elina Valtonen, Foreign Minister of Finland, reiterated Finland's support for a two-state solution.[11] She stated that a few citizens were trapped in Gaza.[11] Finland is also purchasing a US$345 million David's Sling, an air defense system, from Israel.[12][13] The deal has been criticized due to Israel's actions in Gaza.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ Duong-Pedica, Anais (2023-12-29). "Suffocating the academic and student solidarity movement for Palestinian liberation in Finnish higher education (Part 3)". Lefteast. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bilateral relations". Finland abroad: Palestinian territory. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  3. ^ a b Tara (2023-12-28). "Q&A with Palestinian ambassador in Finland: Navigating Finland's stance on Gaza attacks". Helsinki Times. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  4. ^ "Representative Office, Ramallah". Finland abroad: Palestinian territory. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  5. ^ a b "Palestinian territory". Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  6. ^ "Finland provides €2 million to East Jerusalem Hospitals | EEAS". www.eeas.europa.eu. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  7. ^ "FINLAND RENEWS SUPPORT TO UNRWA FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES WITH EUR 20 MILLION CONTRIBUTION OVER FOUR YEARS". United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Finland's development cooperation in Palestinian territory". Finland abroad: Palestinian territory. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  9. ^ "Finland to launch review of development cooperation with Palestine". Valtioneuvosto. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  10. ^ "Foreign Ministry completes its review of Finland's development cooperation in Palestine". Valtioneuvosto. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  11. ^ a b "FM: A few Finnish citizens remain in Gaza". News. 2023-10-14. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  12. ^ "Finnish FM: Finland's defence deal with Israel vs its stance on Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  13. ^ "Finland and Israel sign major defence deal". News. 2023-11-12. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  14. ^ "Finland goes ahead with controversial arms deal despite ongoing killing and siege of Palestinians by Israel". Helsinki Times. 2023-11-17. Retrieved 2023-12-30.