Finland |
Palestine |
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FinlandâPalestine 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]
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 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]