Government Communications Department
9.10.2023
Press release
On Monday 9 October, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the attack on Israel launched by the terrorist organisation Hamas starting on Saturday morning.
The President and the Ministerial Committee strongly condemned the attacks against civilians and terrorism in all its forms. The state of Israel has the right to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks in line with international law. At the same time, international humanitarian law must be upheld and civilians must be protected.
The President and the Ministerial Committee discussed the situation of Finnish citizens in Israel and the Palestinian territories. It is now more difficult for many travellers to return to Finland, but commercial air connections are still available. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is assisting Finns with evacuation arrangements and is working in close cooperation with the other Nordic countries and EU Member States.
Inquiries: Petri Hakkarainen, Director General, tel. +358 295 350 353, Sofie From-Emmesberger, Director General (Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel) +358 295 350 802 and Jussi Tanner, Director General, Consular Services (consular matters), tel. +358 295 350 246, Ministry for Foreign Affairs