Ankara: Finland announced on Wednesday its support for ongoing European Union efforts to impose sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements, while clarifying its position on national trade restrictions. Despite participating in a joint declaration with 11 other countries to back such trade curbs, Finland indicated it would not be implementing its own national sanctions.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Finnish Foreign Ministry explained that the decision to join the declaration aligns with Finland's long-standing foreign policy goals. These goals include endorsing the rules-based international order and international law, as well as supporting a two-state solution and the Palestinian Authority. However, the ministry stated that "Finland is unlikely to impose national sanctions or restrictions due to the fact that we lack national legal basis for it."
The ministry further expressed Finland's commitment to advancing discussions within the EU regarding the differentiation of market access for settlement products. This follows an options paper presented by the European Commission prior to the July Foreign Affairs Council. Finland emphasized its desire to see progress on this issue.
The joint declaration, signed by Finland, France, the UK, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden, reiterated the countries' serious consideration of imposing trade restrictions or other measures in line with their respective national procedures. The statement also highlighted opposition to actions resulting in the annexation of Palestinian land and the forced displacement of Palestinian populations.
Since late 2022, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership, Israel has authorized 104 new settlements, with 160 agricultural settlement outposts established in the West Bank, based on Palestinian data. In the first half of 2026 alone, Israeli occupiers conducted 3,488 attacks in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian government's Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission. These attacks resulted in 17 Palestinian deaths and the displacement of 26 Bedouin and pastoral communities, alongside the establishment of 42 new settlement outposts.
Currently, around 750,000 Israeli occupiers reside in 194 illegal settlements and 400 illegal outposts across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as per Palestinian figures. Israel, which has occupied the West Bank since 1967, disputes the international community's stance that these settlements are illegal under international law.