Finland Urges European Union To Implement More Sanctions On Israel

EU/ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Carl Campbell

JAKARTA - Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen urged the European Union (EU) to consider imposing more sanctions on Israel amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Valtonen confirmed Brussels is currently discussing increasing sanctions against Tel Aviv, but the decision requires approval from all EU member states.

"There is a difference of opinion here, but the message is clear enough that we must take firm action against Israel, especially if the escalation continues and does not end soon," he told national broadcaster Yle.

The European Union had previously imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers earlier this year, but Valtonen stressed that the sanctions could be extended to target political decision makers in the country.

In August, EU chief foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed his support for the EU's new sanctions against Tel Aviv, including measures against several Israeli ministers.

Valtonen also stressed that Finland urged a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council as a way to prevent further escalation.

On Sunday (13/10), UNIFIL reported that two Israeli tanks 'forced entry' positions of peacekeeping forces in the city of Ramyeh in South Lebanon, in a series of violations and attacks by the Israeli military that caused injuries to several peacekeepers.

Valtonen said Finland would assess the presence of their peacekeeping force in Lebanon along with the United Nations.

"Finland is not the only country with peacekeeping forces in the region, and it is imperative that this work be coordinated," added Valtonen, stressing that Helsinki is ready to act if a decision to dismantle peacekeeping forces is made.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen condemned the shooting report against the UN base, with Orpo calling the act "a despicable act."

Israel launched a massive airstrike in Lebanon, targeting what they claim is Hezbollah's target, which has killed more than 2,000 people, injured thousands, and displaced more than 1.2 million people.

The airstrike campaign is an escalation in a year-long cross-border war between Israel and Hezbollah, which began in the brutal attacks of Tel Aviv in the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 42,000 people, mostly women and children.

Despite international warnings that the Middle East region is on the verge of a regional war, Israel continues to expand its conflict by launching a ground invasion of South Lebanon on October 1.