Chairperson Antti Lindtman speaks at the SDP executive committee and party leadership summer meeting. Photo: Christoffer Björklund / Str / Lehtikuva
- Next Article Minister’s benefit cut request sparks political backlash
Finland’s largest opposition party is demanding clarity from the government on its position regarding recognition of a Palestinian state, warning that a failure to act could trigger a parliamentary vote of no confidence.
Speaking in Vaasa on Thursday, Antti Lindtman, chair of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), said Prime Minister Petteri Orpo must “straighten out his government’s position” by early September. If the government fails to do so, the SDP will begin gathering support for an interpellation.
“Finland is in danger of being on the wrong side of history,” Lindtman said. “There is at least one party in government for which denying Palestinian rights has become a direct religious doctrine.”
The SDP’s warning follows months of internal division within Orpo’s four-party coalition over how Finland should respond to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader question of Palestinian statehood.
While President Alexander Stubb has publicly said Finland should recognise Palestine, and Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has echoed similar views, the Christian Democrats and Finns Party have resisted any such move. The Christian Democrats have threatened to leave the government if recognition proceeds.
According to Lindtman, Finland’s foreign policy “cannot remain paralysed” with the president and cabinet sending different signals. He said the situation damages Finland’s international credibility and weakens its moral standing.
Lindtman called for “immediate and concrete steps to pressure the Israeli government” and said the recognition of Palestinian statehood should be formally debated in Parliament.
“Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism,” he said, “but the deliberate starvation of people, especially children, exceeds all possible limits of humanity.”
He urged the government to support international efforts to pressure Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, accusing Israel of violating international law by occupying the territory.
Lindtman also said Finland should call for the suspension of the EU–Israel trade agreement, citing Article 2 of the deal, which requires parties to uphold human rights. He added that the European Union should impose sanctions on members of Israel’s government “responsible for the indiscriminate killing of children and civilians.”
At the same time, he said pressure must also be placed on Hamas to release hostages and make it clear that the group has no future role in governing Gaza.
The SDP first advocated for Palestinian recognition last year. Lindtman said the time has come for the Finnish government to act, or else allow the matter to be decided democratically in Parliament.
“Orpo has now given his government until the beginning of September. We are also prepared to wait, but no longer,” Lindtman said.
The Orpo government currently holds a 109-seat majority in Finland’s 200-member Parliament. If the Christian Democrats were to leave the coalition, that majority would fall to 104 seats, making it more vulnerable to a confidence vote.
In recent interviews with Tucker Carlson, also Christian Palestinians recounted their villages being burnt and houses occupied by illegal Jewish settlers.
HT
- Next Article Minister’s benefit cut request sparks political backlash
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
