Israel and Finland Extend Defense Cooperation Pact
The 10-year deal covers research, development and procurement of military products, while opposition parties question the government’s secrecy and arms ties with Israel.
- Finland and Israel signed a 10-year defense materiel cooperation memorandum in early 2024, running until 2034, though opposition parties criticized the government for failing to publicly announce the deal.
- Earlier defense agreements were renewed in five-year periods; Finland proposed this 10-year extension in early 2024 when the previous arrangement was due to expire, covering research, development, and procurement.
- Green League chair Sofia Virta described the policy as a "historic shame," while Left Alliance Party chair Minja Koskela questioned whether Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen were fully informed.
- Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen defended the memorandum as normal, noting Finland has similar cooperation documents with 40 countries; Defence Forces commander Janne Jaakkola emphasized military capability drove procurement decisions.
- An Israeli Defence Ministry representative told the Jerusalem Post that "Finland is Israel's gateway to NATO and European markets," yet the ICJ issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Gaza war crimes.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Driving the left mad: Finland locks in decade-long military partnership with Israel
Finland has quietly renewed its defense agreement with Israel through 2034, deepening military cooperation despite left-wing opposition branding the deal a “historic shame.” The pact covers joint research, development, and procurement of military technology, with 23 projects reportedly already underway between Finland and Israel’s defense industry. Helsinki says the partnership is crucial to securing world-class […] The post Driving the left mad…
Finland Extends Defense Cooperation With Israel Through 2034, Ends UNRWA Funding
HELSINKI (VINnews) — Finland has quietly extended its defense-industry cooperation agreement with Israel through 2034 and will stop funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees when its current contract expires later this year, Finnish officials and local media reported. Finnish public broadcaster Yle first reported that Helsinki and Jerusalem signed a […]
Finland quietly extended military cooperation with Israel for another decade
Finland and Israel signed a 10-year memorandum on defense-material cooperation, extending the arrangement through 2034, according to an investigation published by Finnish public broadcaster Yle. The agreement covers cooperation...
Finland quietly extends defense ties with Israel, sparking backlash from left
Under the pact, which was first signed in 2013 and again 2019, each time for five years, the two countries cooperate in the research, development and procurement of military products.
Finland quietly extends defense cooperation with Israel through 2034 despite Gaza bac
A newly disclosed 10-year memorandum covers military research, development and procurement, giving Israel’s defense industry a long-term relationship with a NATO member despite growing political opposition in Finland.
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