Finland–Israel relations

The foundation for bilateral relations between Finland and Israel was laid before the establishment of the State of Israel. Finnish President Paasikivi announced de facto recognition of Israel on 11 June 1948, a month after Israel's declaration of independence. Finland officially recognized the State of Israel on 18 March 1949 and diplomatic relations were established on 14 November 1950. Finland opened its embassy in Tel Aviv in 1952 and Israel opened its embassy in Helsinki in 1956.{{Cite web|url=https://finlandabroad.fi/web/isr/frontpage|title=Frontpage|website=Israel}}

The first Finnish diplomatic representative to Israel was Toivo Kala, who presented his letter of accreditation to Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett. Sharett told Kala that he admired Finland's readiness to defend its rights and its efforts to rebuild after the war.

Today, Finland and Israel have strong cultural and scientific ties, and some 10,000 Finns visit Israel every year.

In 2005, Finnish exports to Israel totaled 155.24 million euros and imports from Israel to Finland totaled 95.96 million euros. Israel imports Finnish machinery, telecommunications equipment, wood, paper products and chemical industry products. Israel's leading exports to Finland are telecommunications equipment and machinery, and Israeli fruits and vegetables.[http://www.agendafin.com/article.php?ID=56 Finland’s trade relations with Israel get a new boost] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071108083458/http://www.agendafin.com/article.php?ID=56 |date=2007-11-08 }}

In 2004, a joint Finland-Israel Technology (FIT) cooperation program was created for research and development projects in the field of ICT. The Office of the Chief Scientist in Israel and Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Research and Innovation, allocated five million euros each for the funding of projects.

The Finland Israel Trade association serves as an intermediary between Finnish and Israeli companies in order to create new business contacts. It helps to organize business missions to Israel and hosts business missions from Israel.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fita.fi/activities.htm |title=Finland Israel Trade Association |access-date=2011-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425064300/http://www.fita.fi/activities.htm |archive-date=2012-04-25 |url-status=dead }}

In April 2019, Finland and Israel embarked on a project to sponsor joint programs in digital health and healthcare technology. The Israel Innovation Authority and the Helsinki Business Hub led the initiative.{{cite news |last=Halon |first=Eytan |date=April 16, 2019 |title=Israel, Finland Launch Digital Health Collaboration Initiative |url=https://www.jpost.com/Jpost-Tech/Israel-Finland-launch-digital-health-collaboration-initiative-587001 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=April 16, 2019}}

In 2006, an exhibition on the history of Finland's Jews from the 1830s to the 1970s opened at Beth Hatefutsoth in Tel Aviv.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3781444,00.html|title=The unique story of Finland's Jews|date=September 29, 2009|website=Ynetnews|last1=Cohen |first1=Tamir }}

{{See also|Shlomo Zabludowicz|Poju Zabludowicz|}}

File:Veteraanilehdon muistomerkki 2002.jpg

IMI Galil is said to have been partially based on Finnish Rk 62 assault rifle,{{cite web |url=http://www.guns.com/2011/09/08/the-not-so-clear-origins-of-the-israeli-galil-assault-rifle-2/ |title=The Not So Clear Origins of the Israeli Galil Assault Rifle |last=Elliott |first=John |date=8 September 2011 |website=Guns.com |access-date=7 Jun 2015 |archive-date=1 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901190947/http://www.guns.com/2011/09/08/the-not-so-clear-origins-of-the-israeli-galil-assault-rifle-2/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite journal |last=Kokalis |first=Peter G. |date=1 July 1983 |title=Israel's Deadly Desert Fighter |url=http://remtek.com/arms/imi/galil/galil.htm |journal=Soldier of Fortune |location=Remtek.com |access-date=7 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021205114438/http://www.remtek.com/arms/imi/galil/galil.htm |archive-date=5 December 2002 |url-status=dead }} and indeed the machinery used to manufacture the first Galils as well as receivers for the early samples were provided by Valmet.{{citation needed|reason=Needs a reliable source; previous based on Rk62 -statement + 2 refs should be ok due to likeness.|date=June 2015}} Tampella (through fully owned subsidiary Salgad) and Israeli Solel Boneh founded Soltam Systems in 1950 and started to license build Finnish designed artillery pieces and grenade launchers in Israel.{{cite journal |last=Pykälä |first=Jarmo |date=9 April 2009 |title=Suomalais-israelilaista aseteollisuutta jo 1950-luvulla |url=http://www.kansanuutiset.fi/uutiset/ulkomaat/1839143/suomalais-israelilaista-aseteollisuutta-jo-1950-luvulla |journal= Kansan Uutiset |access-date=7 June 2015 }} It was seen as a win-win for two small and relatively poor countries with nascent defence.{{cite web |url= http://www.taloussanomat.fi/uutiskommentit/2014/07/26/suomi-unohtaa-mielellaan-israelin-asetestit/201410392/12 |title= Suomi "unohtaa" mielellään Israelin asetestit |last1= Korhonen |first1= Petri |date= 26 July 2014 |website=Taloussanomat |access-date=7 June 2015 }} When two decades passed the two countries' profiles had grown apart. Amid negative publicity and dwindling domestic sales for Tampella, the ties between Salgad and Soltam were severed 15 August 1974.{{cite journal |last=Lehtinen |first=Johannes |date=1 Nov 2013 |title=Muuttuva asekauppa: tapaustutkimus Suomesta ja Israelista |url=http://www.saferglobe.fi/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/SFG_TP1_web.pdf |language=fi |publisher=SaferGlobe Finland |access-date=7 June 2015 }}

The FDF's LV141 and LV241 radios have been contract-built by Tadiran for Danish Terma A/S.{{cite web |url= https://www.eduskunta.fi/FI/Vaski/sivut/trip.aspx?triptype=ValtiopaivaAsiakirjat&docid=kk+1055/2009 |title= Kirjallinen kysymys 1055/2009 vp: Asevienti Israeliin |author= |date=31 Dec 2009 |publisher= The Finnish Parliament|access-date=7 Jun 2015}} Spike anti-tank missiles were bought from German Rheinmetall, which subcontracted Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Rafael was also involved in FDF's LITENING AT targeting pod purchase.{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/finland-buys-litening-at-pods-04475/ |title=Finland Buys LITENING AT Pods |author= |date=17 June 2008 |website=Defense Industry Daily |access-date=15 June 2015 }} Mastsystem International, current Cobham Mast Systems have been granted an export license to export some telescopic masts from Finland to Israel.{{cite journal |last=Nousiainen |first=Anu |date=10 Oct 2010 |title=Aseveljemme Israel |url=http://icahd.fi/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/israel-suomi.pdf | journal=Helsingin Sanomat | language= fi | access-date=7 Jun 2015 }} The process to receive export licenses to Israel has been criticized as politically unpredictable, enough for customers to lose interest. For example, a Mastsystem International spokesperson noted in October 2010 that they were denied permit from the end of 2008 to summer 2009. In the same newspaper article a researcher noted that in 2008 Finland had also denied some export permits to Sri Lanka, Brazil and Russia.

In April 2012 the FDF ordered for the Army 24 million euros worth of Orbiter II UAVs from Aeronautics Defense Systems.{{cite news|url=http://www.lentoposti.fi/uutiset/puolustusvoimille_israelilaisia_minitiedustelulennokkeja|title=Puolustusvoimille israelilaisia minitiedustelulennokkeja|date=26 Apr 2012|publisher=Lentoposti.fi|access-date=7 June 2015}} Their previous Swiss UAV RUAG Ranger's design was also done in Israel.

In January 2014, the FDF ordered $47 million worth of multi-spectral camouflage technology from Fibrotex Technologies.{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/01/21/Finland-orders-camouflage-from-Israel/UPI-18731390315745/|title=Finland orders camouflage from Israel|date=21 Jan 2014|publisher=United Press International|access-date=7 June 2015}}

In 2023, Finland chose the Israeli David's Sling as their future air defense system, to be deployed in late 2020s.{{cite web | url=https://maavoimat.fi/-/korkeatorjuntakyvyn-jarjestelma-on-valittu | title=Korkeatorjuntakyvyn järjestelmä on valittu - | date=5 April 2023 }}

• Finland has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
• Israel has an embassy in Helsinki.

File:Yrjönkatu 36 (Embassy of Israel in Helsinki).jpg|Embassy of Israel in Helsinki

• Foreign relations of Finland
• Foreign relations of Israel
• Finland-Palestine relations
• History of the Jews in Finland
• Yad HaShmona
• SV Estelle

{{reflist}}

• [http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=17220&culture=en-US&contentlan=2 Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Israel]
• [http://www.finland.org.il/en/ Finnish embassy in Tel Aviv]
• [http://helsinki.mfa.gov.il/ Israeli embassy in Helsinki]

{{Foreign relations of Finland}}

{{Foreign relations of Israel}}

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Israel

Category:Bilateral relations of Israel