Päivi Räsänen in a plenary session of Parliament in Helsinki on October 25, 2024 / Lehtikuva
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Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen (Christian Democrats) participated in a remote meeting of the social affairs and health committee on Monday while in Israel. This action contravenes parliamentary rules, which prohibit joining committee meetings from abroad due to cybersecurity concerns.
Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament Timo Tuovinen stated that the rules are in place to ensure the confidentiality of committee discussions and their closed nature. He added that the restriction is outlined in the parliamentary committee handbook and explained during the induction process for MPs. Tuovinen suggested that committees should remind their members of this rule if needed.
Räsänen said she was unaware of the restriction. She explained that she joined the meeting to listen to important expert statements, as she considered the topics under discussion to be significant.
“There were interesting issues being addressed, and I thought I would like to hear at least some of the expert statements, even though I was on a work trip,” Räsänen told Finnish news agency STT.
She noted that participation in other parliamentary meetings, such as group meetings and the administrative council of the national broadcaster Yle, is permitted from abroad, and she had assumed the same applied to committee meetings.
Räsänen said she could not recall whether she had previously joined committee meetings remotely while abroad but pledged not to do so in the future.
“Today, in the committee meeting, I apologised and stated that I did not know about this rule. I ask for forgiveness for this oversight,” she said.
Tuovinen acknowledged that monitoring compliance with this rule can be challenging. He said he was unaware of any prior breaches but did not rule out the possibility that others might have done the same.
Räsänen was in Israel on a trip organised by the Finland-Israel and Estonia-Israel parliamentary friendship groups, alongside the European Leadership Network (Elnet). The trip was funded by Elnet, an organisation that aims to strengthen relations between Europe and Israel.
Other Finnish MPs on the trip included Vilhelm Junnila (Finns Party), Atte Kaleva (National Coalition Party) and Kaisa Garedew (Finns Party). The group also included Binga Tupamäki, chair of the National Coalition Youth, and Lauri Laitinen, chair of the Finns Party Youth.
Räsänen participated in Monday’s committee meeting, which was held in three sessions. According to meeting records, she was present for the full discussion of five agenda items and partially for three others. Topics included proposed amendments to the Basic Income Act, the National Pensions Act, and the Social Welfare Act.
A staunch Zionist and supporter of Israel, Räsänen has previously endorsed the illegal settlements in the West Bank and rejected calls for their dismantlement or for moving settlers out of their “homes.” These settlers, who come from other countries to occupy Palestinian lands, routinely use violence against Palestinians, including killing civilians and burning their homes. The criminal actions of armed settlers are often protected by the Israeli army.
In a case soon to be presented to the Finnish Supreme Court, Räsänen faces charges of “agitation against a minority group” under the section of “war crimes and crimes against humanity” in the Finnish criminal code for her anti-LGBT comments.
Räsänen also sits on the supervisory board of Yle, Finland’s public broadcasting company. Since the start of the genocide in Gaza, Yle has adopted a strong pro-Israel stance in its reporting, often omitting mentions of civilian casualties or bombardments in Gaza. News anchors are instructed to refer to resistance movements like Hamas or Hezbollah as “terrorist organizations” every time they are mentioned. This approach contrasts sharply with Yle’s coverage of the war in Ukraine, where every civilian casualty or injury is reported, and the phrase “Russian aggression” is consistently used. Yle’s editorial line always refers to the conflict in Ukraine as “the Russian attack war on Ukraine.”
The Finnish Parliament’s Israel Friendship Group plays a key role in fostering relations between Finland and Israel. The group is chaired by Peter Östman of the Christian Democratic Parliamentary Group, with Tytti Tuppurainen of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group serving as the first vice chair and Sanna Antikainen of the Finns Party Parliamentary Group as the second vice chair. Tomi Kaunismäki acts as the group’s secretary.
Beyond the core leadership, other Finnish MPs actively engaged in pro-Israel initiatives include Mika Niikko, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, along with Wille Rydman, Sari Tanus, and Antero Laukkanen. These individuals regularly participate in events and discussions aimed at strengthening diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between the two nations.
The Israel Friendship Group operates as part of a wider network of parliamentary friendship groups. These groups seek to promote mutual understanding and cooperation on issues of shared interest. By participating in events and dialogue, the Finnish-Israeli group contributes to the broader goal of enhancing bilateral relations.
The European Leadership Network (ELNET) is deeply rooted in Zionist ideology, functioning primarily as a pro-Israel advocacy organization that seeks to strengthen ties between Europe and Israel. Established in 2007, ELNET positions itself as a counterweight to the growing criticism of Israel within European political circles. It operates through a network of affiliates across several countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, and the UK, and is funded by private donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals who share its pro-Israel agenda. Notably, major donors like American billionaire Bernie Marcus, a prominent supporter of Israel and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), contribute significantly to its operations. This financial backing underscores ELNET’s commitment to promoting Zionist objectives in Europe and shaping the narrative surrounding Israeli policies.
ELNET actively funds trips to Israel for European politicians and influencers as part of its strategy to cultivate pro-Israel sentiments among decision-makers. These trips are often framed as “fact-finding missions,” but critics argue they serve a clear agenda: to ensure that participants adopt favourable views towards Israeli policies and actions. For instance, ELNET has financed visits for members of the UK Parliament, including those from the Conservative Party, to engage directly with Israeli officials and military leaders. Such initiatives raise concerns about the potential for bias and manipulation in shaping political opinions in favour of Israel while sidelining critical discussions about humanitarian issues in Gaza and the broader implications of Israeli policies. Through these funded trips, ELNET not only reinforces its Zionist roots but also seeks to influence European political landscapes in ways that align with Israeli interests.
According to Al Jazeera reports, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in devastating casualties and widespread destruction. Over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 16,456 children and more than 11,000 women. The conflict has damaged or destroyed approximately 62 percent of all homes in Gaza, amounting to 290,820 housing units. Educational infrastructure has been severely impacted, with 8 out of 10 schools damaged or destroyed, leaving 625,000 students without access to education. Hospitals have been deliberately targeted by Israeli forces, despite their protected status under international law. The overall damage to Gaza’s infrastructure is estimated at $18.5 billion by the World Bank and the UN, with 26 million tonnes of debris and rubble left in the wake of the destruction.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Finland as a signatory to the ICC has to arrest Netanyaho if he sets foot in the country, or trespasses Finland’s airspace.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
