Finnish Foreign Minister Visits Jerusalem for First Time in a Decade

In a significant diplomatic development, Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen visited Jerusalem this week the first such visit by a Finnish foreign minister in nearly a decade.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar hosted Valtonen at the Foreign Ministry for what officials described as “substantive and in-depth” talks. The meeting comes at a sensitive time, as Israel navigates a complex international climate and ongoing discussions within the European Union regarding its relationship with the Jewish state.

Sa’ar and Valtonen began with a private discussion before expanding the meeting to include both delegations. The agenda focused on two central tracks: strengthening bilateral relations between Israel and Finland, and addressing recent regional developments.

A key topic was Iran. Sa’ar thanked Valtonen for Finland’s support of the European Union’s decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization a move Israel views as critical in countering Tehran’s destabilizing activities across the Middle East.

“This is the first visit in a decade, and we did not want to miss the opportunity to influence the Finnish government,” a source familiar with the discussions said, underscoring Jerusalem’s strategic interest in shaping European perspectives during a pivotal moment.

In a notable gesture, Sa’ar presented Valtonen with a map of Israel to illustrate the country’s geographic constraints. The visual comparison highlighted that Israel is roughly one-fifteenth the size of Finland a reminder, Israeli officials said, that the country’s narrow borders and limited strategic depth play a central role in its security decisions, including those related to the West Bank.

Valtonen’s itinerary also includes visits to Yad Vashem and the Nova music festival site, where hundreds were murdered during the October 7 massacre. These stops are expected to provide direct exposure to both the historical roots of antisemitism and the modern-day threats Israel continues to confront.

The Foreign Ministry believes the visit could influence Finland’s posture within the European Union and other international forums, particularly as debates intensify over regional policy and Europe’s broader approach to Israel.

At a time when narratives about Israel often dominate headlines from afar, face-to-face diplomacy remains indispensable. Valtonen’s presence in Jerusalem signals a renewed channel of dialogue one grounded in mutual respect, security cooperation, and an understanding of Israel’s unique challenges.

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