Finland votes for UN resolution calling end to Israeli occupation in Palestine

Finland on Wednesday cast vote in favour of the resolution demanding an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory within the next 12 months, which was passed by an overwhelming margin in the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

The resolution was adopted with 124 votes in favour, 14 against and 43 abstentions, during the UNGA's 10th emergency special session considering Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“Finland among 124 countries voted in favor of UNGA resolution following ICJ Advisory Opinion regarding Occupied Palestinian Territory. Finland is committed to international law and ICJ as UN principal judicial body,” the Ministry for Foreign Affairs wrote in a post on its social media platform X late Wednesday night.

The ministry also included the national statement by Permanent Representative of Finland, Elina Kalkku submitted at the special session in the post.

“The Palestinian people have had to wait for the realization of this right far too long. We as the international community must bear our responsibility in assisting the parties to end this conflict as soon as possible, and set up a credible process towards a negotiated two-state solution. Finland views the deadline set in this draft resolution as an incentive towards such a process. If ever, now is the time,” Kalkku said in the statement.

The resolution was opposed by Israel, the United States, Argentina, the Czech Republic, Fiji, Hungary, Malawi, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga and Tuvalu.