Finland trades with occupied Palestinian territories, experts urge halt

Finland has expressed support for halting trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, a move that aligns with ongoing discussions within the European Union. While politically significant, the actual trade volume between Finland and these areas is notably small.

According to customs statistics, Finland's exports to the occupied Palestinian territories amounted to approximately €770,000 last year, while imports from the region were around €75,000. Over longer periods, Finland's annual exports have hovered around the one million euro mark, with imports nearing €100,000. The import category is dominated by products derived from plants, fruits, nuts, and other plant parts, while exports largely consist of paper, cardboard, and paperboard.

Despite the low figures, organizations like Finnwatch consider the trade problematic. Sonja Finér, the executive director of Finnwatch, argues that it is "truly embarrassing" that this trade has not been stopped sooner, given that these are illegally occupied territories. She advocates for an end to the practice, emphasizing the EU's pressure to act as Israel's settlement policies become increasingly aggressive.

Experts note that the EU has been considering a union-wide ban, though consensus on the decision-making method remains elusive. Finland has long supported severing trade ties. The lack of specific data on trade with Israeli settlements, as opposed to the broader category of occupied Palestinian territories, is also a concern. Finér points to a recent human rights organization report suggesting that goods produced in settlements are sometimes mixed with general exports from Israel, further complicating accurate tracking.

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It is truly embarrassing that this trade has not been stopped sooner. These are illegally occupied areas, and that trade has continued to this day.