Finnish Opposition Criticizes Government's Israel Protocol on Defense Materials

Finland's opposition parties have strongly condemned the government's recent signing of a ten-year memorandum of understanding with Israel concerning cooperation in the defense materials sector. The agreement, which was reportedly signed quietly, has sparked outrage among lawmakers who question the timing and implications, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

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When we demanded pressure on Israel, the government tightened cooperation. When we demanded the dismantling of Israel dependencies, the government deepened them. When we demanded recognition of Palestine, the government refused. These have been conscious political choices. This is the National Coalition Party's policy.

The Left Alliance announced it would submit a written inquiry to ascertain who was aware of the protocol's signing. Minja Koskela, the Left Alliance's chair, stated that the Defense Ministry's silence is unsurprising given the "unbearably shameful" policy. She highlighted concerns about engaging in arms trade and defense cooperation with a state accused of genocide, calling it "unacceptable." The party also questioned Finland's initiative to extend the protocol for ten years, deviating from previous five-year terms.

Similarly, the Green Party's chair, Sofia Virta, labeled the government's Israel policy a "historical disgrace." She argued that while the opposition has called for pressuring Israel and reducing dependencies, the government has instead intensified cooperation. Virta criticized the government's refusal to recognize Palestine, framing these actions as deliberate political choices aligned with the National Coalition Party's agenda.

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The first, of course, is that one does not engage in arms trade or defense cooperation with a state committing genocide, period. Furthermore, it is incomprehensible that Finland initiated the protocol extension and that the protocol was concluded for ten years instead of the previous five-year cycles.

Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen defended the agreement, telling Yle that such protocols are standard practice among countries involved in defense trade. He noted that Finland has similar cooperation documents with 40 nations and that Israel has long been a partner. Häkkänen also downplayed the significance of the ten-year term, stating that Finland has previously procured arms from Israel, making the continuation of such cooperation unsurprising. The controversy, however, underscores a deep division in Finland's political landscape regarding its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and arms trade.

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We have cooperation documents with 40 countries, and Israel has long been one of them.