Finland joins Nordic condemnation as Israel closes Norway's Palestine mission
Finland has issued a joint statement alongside the four other Nordic nations urging Israel to reconsider its decision to close Norway's Representative Office in Al-Ram, Palestine.
In a statement, the Finnish foreign ministry noted that the decision "directly impacts consular services for some of our citizens" as the Norwegian mission also served citizens from other Nordic countries.
Israeli authorities have also revoked the diplomatic status of Norwegian diplomats working with the Palestinian Authority.
"The decision is a set back against the fulfilment of the Oslo accords and the two-state solution. Norway has a long history of working constructively for peace and stability in the Middle East. The current situation calls for more diplomacy – not less," the statement said, concluding with a plea to Israel to reconsider.
In a post on social media platform X, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the decision was made “because of Norway’s recognition of a Palestinian-Hamas state after the October 7 massacre, and its support for the issuing of arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials.”
Finnish ministers not attending informal EU meetings in Hungary
For the time being, Finland will not take part in upcoming informal meetings hosted by Hungary, based on a decision by a Finnish ministerial committee.
In practice, this means that while Finnish ministers or political state secretaries will not take part in next week's informal meetings, the country will be represented by civil servants.
Hungary took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1 and will hold the position until the end of the year.
The Finnish government said the decision not to send ministers to the meetings was a response to Hungary's behaviour during its presidency.
Hungary has hesitated in advocating for EU support of Ukraine in its defence against Russia, while its Prime Minister Viktor Orbán began the presidency by making visits to Russia and China that were not authorised by the EU.
