Finland Joins France, Saudi Arabia Two-State Solution Declaration

Finland has announced its decision to join the French-Saudi-led New York Declaration, which seeks a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the implementation of a two-state solution. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen described the initiative as the most significant international effort in years to establish conditions for peace and emphasized Finland's support for the declaration. The declaration condemns the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and Israeli attacks on civilians, demands the release of hostages, calls for a ceasefire, and urges unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza. While the declaration does not commit Finland to recognizing the state of Palestine, it advocates for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and reconstruction efforts led by Arab states. This move aligns Finland with global efforts to promote dialogue and conflict resolution, although the United States and Israel boycotted the UN conference where the declaration was formulated. The Finnish government has faced internal debate over the decision but remains committed to supporting this international peace process.