Finnish Foreign Affairs Committee members speak out on Gaza crisis

By admin On Jan 15, 2024

Smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. AFP / LEHTIKUVA

Some members of the Foreign Affairs Committee have independently voiced their apprehensions regarding Israel’s current offensive in the Gaza Strip, which, according to Palestine’s health authority, has led to over 20,000 casualties. In discussions with Helsinki Times, they underscored the need to prevent further escalation in the conflict, urging for an immediate and lasting ceasefire.

Approaching the 100-day mark of the Gaza offensive, Israel persists in its bombardment in the strip. A group of senior UN experts issued a grave warning of a potential “genocide in progress” in Gaza, urging urgent international intervention to prevent further atrocities. Simultaneously, a crucial session commenced at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) earlier this week, where South Africa accused Israel of violating obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed Israel’s commitment despite facing accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the operation to dismantle the Hamas movement will continue unabated and Israel will not be swayed by accusations of genocide.

A recent UN report highlights that Gaza’s entire population is confronting acute food shortages, with the risk of famine looming if the Israeli onslaught persists into February. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) assessment for Gaza revealed alarming results, indicating that 100% of the population is facing severe acute food insecurity in Gaza surpassing rates in Afghanistan and Sudan, marking a critical humanitarian concern.

“The Foreign Affairs Committee is concerned about the Middle Eastern situation and particularly concerned that this conflict might escalate. So we all share the view that this escalation must be avoided,” Kimmo Kiljunen, Chairman of the committee and member of the Social Democratic Parliamentary group told Helsinki Times.

Kimmo Kiljunen gave his independent opinion on the matter, tracing the roots of the conflict back to historical tensions and emphasising the need for peaceful coexistence.

“With respect to the October 7 attack by Hamas against Israel, we are obviously in the opinion that Israel has the right to self-defense and the territory integrity should be obviously respected. But at the same time, I am particularly concerned about the humanitarian situation as a whole. This type of revenge and whole violence circle in the Middle East is a huge problem always,” Kiljunen said.

Elaborating on what he means by revenge, he said, “This didn’t start in 7th of October. It actually dates back to more than decades ago, it’s actually 100 years. I believe that the conflict that happened from 1920 was already censored. That time 10% of the population were Jews in 1920. At the end of 19th century, the Jewish population in the Palestine territory was below 5%. When the immigration of the Jews happened, people didn’t tolerate each other. So we cannot look at the problem only from today’s perspective, but we have one century of violence in that territory. So the whole issue is how to guarantee that they can live together, peacefully,” he added.

Kiljunen condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization but also raised concerns about Israel’s actions, particularly strikes on Palestinian civilians and the blockade disconnecting water electricity and other food supplies in Gaza.

“I would also like to recognize that the Palestinians are not Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization and this is actually a government organization in Gaza. So there are two elements of Hamas, but what happened is a terrorist act and should be condemned in strong words.” Kiljunen said

Kiljunen emphasized the need for equal attention to humanitarian issues, while highlighting the importance of consistent language in addressing conflicts.

“If you have been concerned about Aleppo during the Syrian war, or Mariupol in Ukraine during Russia’s invasion there, we should be equally concerned about the siege and blockade of Gaza. Frequently, these actions have been called as terrorist act towards civilians and we must use the same vocabulary for what is happening in Gaza. It is a humanitarian concern and we have already seen the number of victims,” Kiljunen added.

On calling these actions war crimes, the chairman said, “I don’t think that position has been properly investigated, but clearly it is a war crime if you bomb a population, hospitals like what has happened in the area. It is a huge concern that should be investigated.”

Jussi Saramo, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of Left Alliance shares the goal of ending the killing and freeing hostages, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian aid. He calls for international pressure on Israel to work towards a two-state solution and highlights the need to address the occupation of the West Bank and illegal settlements.

“An immediate ceasefire and freeing the hostages is definitely our priority but at the same time, when we get humanitarian aid through, the next thing that we should ensure immediately is that we don’t go back to bombing Gaza and the international community has to pressure the extreme right leadership of Israel to work for on it,” Jussi Saramo told Helsinki Times.

“So the occupation of the West Bank and step by step the illegal settlements must be removed, the areas should be returned to the Palestinians. For that, we need international pressure because it’s clear that Hamas doesn’t want peace and a two-state model, but also the leadership of Israel is on the other side thinking the same,” Saramo added.

Saramo criticized the bombing of civilians in Palestine, expressing concern about both Hamas and the leadership of Israel. “It is unacceptable to bomb civilians. It’s obvious that almost every killed person in Palestine has been a civilian because it’s such a huge amount of people, children, and women. I would say that it looks clear that Hamas doesn’t care about the lives of innocent civilian people, but it is the same about the leadership of Israel,” he said.

He also shared his views on the massive protests in Finland against the Israeli attack in Gaza and criticized the Western support for Israel. Saramo acknowledged allegations of war crimes by Israel but expressed pessimism due to Israel’s non-acceptance of international criminal courts.

“I think it’s totally understandable Palestinians in Palestine are helpless but also people are desperate because they would like to help, but they feel like there’s nothing they can do. At the same time, it looks that the West Is supporting Israel without any conditions,” Saramo noted.

Asked when he believes it is true, Saramo said, “It is clear that the West has been trying to say to Israeli leaders that their actions are wrong. It is all behind the curtains, but in public, the West is still supporting Israel, and people feel that it’s unfair.”

“Many professionals who are working there have said that Israel is committing war crimes and of course, I think that it should be judged and investigated independently. The problem is that you really cannot convict Israelis or Russians or Chinese or U.S. Israel is one of the states that don’t accept international criminal courts and law. So I’m a bit pessimistic,” he added.

Saramo also delved into Finland’s role in arms deals, while advocating for consistent principles in arms trade, supporting countries that respect human rights.

“Eliminate double standards, advocate for human rights globally. We aim to uphold principles, refusing arms deals with nations violating human rights—no exceptions for Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE. Our stance: arms trade only with countries respecting human rights; that is why we gave support to Ukraine in self-defence. No support for nations attacking neighbour or their own people.”

Eva Biaudet, a member of Parliament from the Swedish Parliamentary group, echoed the sentiment of The Finnish Parliament Network on Human Rights and The Palestine Friendship Group of the Parliament of Finland on the issue. Nineteen members of the Finnish Parliament, including Inka Hopsu, Chairperson of the Parliament Network on Human Rights, and Veronika Honkasalo, Chairperson of the Palestine Friendship Group, released a joint statement expressing horror at the civilian casualties in Gaza. The statement called for an immediate cease-fire, condemning Israel’s actions, and demanding humanitarian access. The MPs emphasize the need for Finland and the EU to pressure peace negotiations, advocate for lifting the blockade on Gaza, and address the root causes of the conflict. Biaudet is also one of the signatories.

“Every killed and injured person is one too many. For every family a lost loved one is an immense tragedy, be it whatever background the person comes from. Therefore a ceasefire is so urgent for all,” Eva Biaudet told Helsinki Times.

“It is of utmost importance to gather countries both from the north as well as from the south to rise the political pressure to stop the violence and to move on to restarting peace negotiations towards a two-state solution again,” Biaudet added.

– Sonali Telang

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi