Finland–Palestine relations explained
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. There is a Representative Office of Finland in Ramallah.[4]
History
Palestine opened a representative office in Finland in the 1980s. Finland started cooperating with the Palestinians in development in 1994.[5] Finland opened a representative office in Ramallah in 1999.
In 2014, Finland upgraded its office in Ramallah to a diplomatic post and made the head an ambassador. Finland allocated 24 million Euro to Palestine for 2021 to 2024 period covering education, state building, civil society, and strengthening resilience. 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. 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
Notes and References
- Web site: Duong-Pedica . Anais . 2023-12-29 . Suffocating the academic and student solidarity movement for Palestinian liberation in Finnish higher education (Part 3) . 2023-12-30 . Lefteast . en-US.
- Web site: Bilateral relations . 2023-12-30 . Finland abroad: Palestinian territory . en-US.
- Web site: Tara . 2023-12-28 . Q&A with Palestinian ambassador in Finland: Navigating Finland's stance on Gaza attacks . 2023-12-30 . Helsinki Times . en-gb.
- Web site: Representative Office, Ramallah . 2023-12-30 . Finland abroad: Palestinian territory . en-US.
- Web site: Palestinian territory . 2023-12-30 . Ministry for Foreign Affairs . en-US.
- Web site: Finland provides €2 million to East Jerusalem Hospitals EEAS . 2023-12-30 . www.eeas.europa.eu.
- Web site: 29 March 2023 . FINLAND RENEWS SUPPORT TO UNRWA FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES WITH EUR 20 MILLION CONTRIBUTION OVER FOUR YEARS . 30 December 2023 . United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
- Web site: Finland's development cooperation in Palestinian territory . 2023-12-30 . Finland abroad: Palestinian territory . en-US.
- Web site: Finland to launch review of development cooperation with Palestine . 2023-12-30 . Valtioneuvosto . en-US.
- Web site: Foreign Ministry completes its review of Finland's development cooperation in Palestine . 2023-12-30 . Valtioneuvosto . en-US.
- Web site: 2023-10-14 . FM: A few Finnish citizens remain in Gaza . 2023-12-30 . News . en.
- Web site: Finnish FM: Finland's defence deal with Israel vs its stance on Gaza . 2023-12-30 . Al Jazeera . en.
- Web site: 2023-11-12 . Finland and Israel sign major defence deal . 2023-12-30 . News . en.
- Web site: 2023-11-17 . Finland goes ahead with controversial arms deal despite ongoing killing and siege of Palestinians by Israel . 2023-12-30 . Helsinki Times . en-gb.