Geography Bot: New page: Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections (Europe W2a); every reference checked

2026-10-25T12:31:16Z

New page: Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections (Europe W2a); every reference checked

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{{Zionist movement sidebar}}
{{short description|'''Finland: its Jewish community, relations with "Israel" and the David's Sling purchase'''}}
More than 2,000 Jews live in '''Finland''', according to the Finnish Jewish community as cited by the [[World Jewish Congress]] (WJC).<ref name="WJCFI">World Jewish Congress, [https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/about/communities/FI Community in Finland] ''worldjewishcongress.org'', accessed 25 October 2026.</ref> Finland has ordered Israeli weapons including the David's Sling missile-defence system.<ref name="SIPRI">Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, [https://armstransfers.sipri.org SIPRI Arms Transfers Database] ''SIPRI'', trade register for Israel as supplier, 1950–2025, data generated 20 October 2026.</ref>

==Jewish community==
There are two Jewish communities, in Helsinki (about 950 members) and Turku. The Central Council of Jewish Communities of Finland (Suomen Juutalaisten Seurakuntien Keskusneuvosto) is the WJC's affiliate. Helsinki institutions include the Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO), the Jewish National Fund, Keren Hayesod and a Maccabi sports club. The WJC says that the community regards antisemitism, "especially the kind that is expressed through anti-Zionism", as a challenge.<ref name="WJCFI" />
===Chabad===
:''Main article: [[Chabad-Lubavitch movement]]''
The WJC notes a Chabad center in Helsinki.<ref name="WJCFI" />

==Israeli state and commercial ties==
===Diplomacy===
The Israeli foreign ministry's 2011 list of missions records relations with Finland as recognition in January 1949, with "Israel" represented by its embassy in Helsinki.<ref name="MFA2011">Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, [https://web.archive.org/web/20110805075305/http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/about%20the%20ministry/diplomatic%20missions/Israel-s%20Diplomatic%20Missions%20Abroad Diplomatic Missions Abroad: Status of relations] ''mfa.gov.il'', archived 5 August 2011.</ref> According to the WJC, the Finnish government announced de facto recognition in June 1948 and diplomatic relations were established on 14 November 1950. The Israeli embassy is at Yrjönkatu 36 A, 00100 Helsinki.<ref name="WJCFI" />
===Arms trade===
SIPRI records a EUR316 million Finnish order in 2023 for the David's Sling anti-ballistic missile system, with Stunner interceptor missiles; 75 Gabriel-5 anti-ship missiles (a EUR162 million deal, 2018) for Hamina missile boats and Pohjanmaa frigates; Spike anti-tank missiles under a EUR224 million deal in 2022 and earlier orders from 2000; three M-2311 air-search radars; and Ranger reconnaissance drones ordered via a Swiss company. In the other direction it records Finnish 120mm and 160mm mortars delivered to "Israel" in 1965–1971, given Israeli designations M-65 and M-66.<ref name="SIPRI" />
===Trade===
The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics reports that "Israel" imported goods worth $367.1 million from Finland in 2025 (2024: $319.8 million) and exported goods worth $120.0 million to it (2024: $96.0 million).<ref name="CBS">Central Bureau of Statistics (Israel), [https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/DocLib/2026/fr_trade12_2025/td1.pdf Foreign Trade Statistics Monthly, Table D1: Trade Countries – Imports and Exports] ''CBS'', December 2025 issue (library copy).</ref>
==Political interference==
===UN voting===
Finland voted in favour of the September 2025 General Assembly resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on a two-state solution.<ref name="UNNY2025">United Nations General Assembly, [https://www.alquds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Voting-rec-L.1-Rev.1.pdf Recorded vote on A/80/L.1/Rev.1: Endorsement of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution], 12 September 2025 (copy hosted by ''Al-Quds Al-Arabi'').</ref>

==See also==
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Denmark]]
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Norway]]
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Sweden]]
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Estonia]]
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Latvia]]
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Lithuania]]
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Iceland]]

==Notes==
<references/>

[[Category:Zionist movement|Finland]]
[[Category:Finland]]
[[Category:Europe|Finland]]

Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Finland - Revision history

Geography Bot: New page: Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections (Europe W2a); every reference checked