Gaza violence must stop, Finland tells UN

Finland demanded an end to the major upsurge in violence in and around Gaza and underscored the need for a ceasefire without further delay.

“The grave escalation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the major upsurge in violence in and around Gaza, must stop. A ceasefire needs to be implemented without any delay in order to avoid further casualties and making this conflict even more difficult to solve,” said Ambassador Jukka Salovaara, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations in a statement at Open Debate on Middle East on Sunday, said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a press release on Monday.

The Finnish envoy also put emphasis on determined actions by both Israeli and Palestinian leaders now.

“Instead of use of force, we need to see negotiations between the parties of the conflict. In this situation, it is also important that the Security Council can act according to its mandate and support efforts to maintain international peace and security in the Middle East,” said Salovaara.

Finland strongly condemns all violence against civilians, including the indiscriminate firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas and militant groups in the Gaza Strip, directly harming civilians.

“While Finland recognizes the legitimate right of Israel to protect its citizens against any attacks, Finland underlines that the Israeli military operation must be proportionate and in line with international humanitarian law. Civilians need to be protected at all times. Security belongs to all,” said the statement.

“After the implementation of the ceasefire, we will need actions at the level of religious and political leaders, including community leaders, on both sides. Incitement of hatred and violence needs to be stopped immediately. Human rights, including religious rights of everyone in the region need to be respected by all,” the statement added.

This most recent upsurge of violence clearly shows once again that Israel and Palestine should return to negotiations on equal grounds in order to find a permanent solution to their conflict.

Finland shares the view that a negotiated two-state solution - based on parameters set out in the EU Council Conclusions of July 2014 - that meets Israeli and Palestinian security needs and Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty, ends the occupation that began in 1967, and resolves all permanent status issues is the only sustainable way to end the conflict.

“Israeli settlement activities are illegal under international law and weaken the prospects for a two-state solution,” Salovaara.