The Briefing
- Minister Valtonen met Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and will meet Palestinian officials in Ramallah.
- She urged for unhindered aid to Gaza and supported the “second phase” of the current peace plan.
- This marks the first visit by a Finnish Foreign Minister to Jerusalem since 2016.
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen is in Israel for a high-profile diplomatic mission, breaking a ten-year hiatus of Finnish foreign ministers visiting Jerusalem. Her trip comes at a critical time for the region, focusing on cooling tensions and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
During her meetings on Sunday, Valtonen held talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. She emphasized Finland’s desire for a “two-state solution,” where Israel and Palestine would exist peacefully side-by-side.
Valtonen stated she had a “pleasure” meeting President Herzog, praising the long economic ties between the two nations. However, the tone regarding the conflict was urgent. She stressed that civilians in Gaza need immediate help and that humanitarian aid must flow without strict barriers.
In her discussion with her Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar, Valtonen addressed regional security.
“An important meeting with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem today,” Valtonen wrote on X. “We discussed our bilateral relations based on decades of exchanges at all levels, from decision-makers to citizens. We also discussed regional security, Gaza and the West Bank. I emphasized the urgent needs of the civilian population in Gaza and the importance of unhindered access of humanitarian aid. I reaffirmed Finland’s support for regional stability and securing a path towards the two-state solution.”
This diplomatic visit happens while trade relations are complicated.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Sa’ar presented her a map comparing Israel’s size to Finland’s to highlight Israel’s security vulnerability. Valtonen also welcomed the “second phase” of the ongoing Peace Plan, expressing hope it would stabilize the volatile region.
After her stops in Jerusalem, Valtonen is scheduled to travel to Ramallah to meet with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa.
This diplomatic visit happens while trade relations are complicated.
In late 2025, Finland’s S-Group (a major retailer) suspended the purchase of Israeli products due to the conflict.
Meanwhile, Finland officially joined an international declaration supporting a two-state solution in September 2025, aligning itself more actively with peace efforts than in previous years.
