 | |
 Finland |  Israel |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of Finland, Tel Aviv | Embassy of Israel, Helsinki |
Israel-Finland relations are diplomatic, commercial and cultural ties between Finland and Israel. Finland maintains an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel maintains an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
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. [1]
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. [1]
Today, Finland and Israel have strong cultural and scientific ties, and some 10,000 Finns visit Israel every year. [1]
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. [2]
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. [2]
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. [3]
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. [4]
In 2006, an exhibition on the history of Finland's Jews from the 1830s to the 1970s opened at Beth Hatefutsoth in Tel Aviv. [5]
IMI Galil is said to have been partially based on Finnish Rk 62 assault rifle, [6] [7] and indeed the machinery used to manufacture the first Galils as well as receivers for the early samples were provided by Valmet.[ citation needed ] 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. [8] It was seen as a win-win for two small and relatively poor countries with nascent defence. [9] When two decades passed the two countries' profiles had grown apart. [9] Amid negative publicity and dwindling domestic sales for Tampella, the ties between Salgad and Soltam were severed 15 August 1974. [10]
The FDF's LV141 and LV241 radios have been contract-built by Tadiran for Danish Terma A/S. [11] Spike anti-tank missiles were bought from German Rheinmetall, which subcontracted Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. [11] Rafael was also involved in FDF's LITENING AT targeting pod purchase. [12] Mastsystem International, current Cobham Mast Systems have been granted an export license to export some telescopic masts from Finland to Israel. [11] [13] 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. [13] In the same newspaper article a researcher noted that in 2008 Finland had also denied some export permits to Sri Lanka, Brazil and Russia. [13]
In April 2012 the FDF ordered for the Army 24 million euros worth of Orbiter II UAVs from Aeronautics Defense Systems. [14] Their previous Swiss UAV RUAG Ranger's design was also done in Israel. [14] In January 2014, the FDF ordered $47 million worth of multi-spectral camouflage technology from Fibrotex Technologies. [15] In 2023, Finland chose the Israeli David's Sling as their future air defense system, to be deployed in late 2020s. [16]
Foreign relations of Israel refers to diplomatic and trade relations between Israel and other countries around the world. Israel has diplomatic ties with 165 of the other 192 UN member states as of 12 December 2020. Israel is a member of the United Nations (UN) and a number of other international organisations. Israel maintains full diplomatic relations with two of its Arab neighbours, Egypt and Jordan, after signing peace treaties in 1979 and 1994 respectively. In 2020, Israel signed agreements establishing diplomatic relations with three Arab League countries, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco. As of 2021, Israel had formal diplomatic relations with 168 other countries, while twenty-eight UN member states have either never established, or have broken off diplomatic relations with Israel.
Moshe Sharett was the second prime minister of Israel and the country’s first foreign minister. He signed the Israeli Declaration of Independence and was a principal negotiator in the cease-fire agreements that concluded the 1948 War of Independence. Beginning in 1933, he headed the political department of the Jewish Agency. He also founded the Jewish Brigade, which fought with the British Army during World War II.
Soltam Systems is an Israeli defense contractor and kitchen equipment manufacturer located in Yokneam, Israel. The company has been developing and manufacturing advanced artillery systems, mortars, ammunition, peripheral equipment and cooking equipment since 1952. Soltam Systems serves armed and special forces in more than 60 countries as well as the private sector with its kitchen products. Among the company's major customers are the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the United States Army and NATO countries.
Colombia–Israel relations are the diplomatic relations between Colombia and Israel which were officially established in the mid-1950s, however, diplomatic relations were severed in 2024 by Colombia as a result of the Israel–Hamas war.
The M-68 was a 155 mm L33 caliber towed gun howitzer manufactured by Soltam Systems of Israel, and used by the Israeli Defense Force.
Before 1918, both Finland and Ukraine were part of the Russian Empire. In 1918, Finland was one of the first countries to recognise Ukraine and open a diplomatic mission in Kyiv. Finland once again recognised Ukraine on December 30, 1991. Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 26, 1992. Finland is a member of the European Union, which Ukraine applied for in 2022. Both countries are full members of Council of Europe. Also Finland is an EU member and Ukraine is an EU candidate.
Finland-Italy relations are foreign relations between Finland and Italy. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 September 1919. Finland has an embassy in Rome, Italy has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the EU, NATO, OSCE, COE and Eurozone.
The nations of Finland and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1936. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.
Finland–Spain relations are the bilateral relations between Finland and Spain. Both nations are members of the COE, EU, UN, Schengen Area, eurozone, and NATO. Spain strongly supported Finland's NATO membership during the latter's accession process. Spain is also one of the favorite destinations of Finnish tourism. Approximately ten percent of the Finnish population travels on vacation each year to Spain. Furthermore, the Finns are the fastest growing European community in Málaga, as Fuengirola is home to the second largest colony of Finns in the world, after Sweden.
Israel–Ukraine relations are foreign relations between Israel and Ukraine. Both countries recognized each other on 11 May 1949 as the Ukrainian SSR and established de jure diplomatic relations on 26 December 1991 when Ukraine became independent. Israel has an embassy in Kyiv. Ukraine has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a consulate-general in Haifa. There are 30,000 Ukrainians settled in Israel, while Ukraine has one of Europe's largest Jewish communities. Ukraine was also the first state outside of Israel to have had both a Jewish president and prime minister simultaneously.
Israel–Kazakhstan relations refers to the current and historical relations between Israel and Kazakhstan. The countries established diplomatic relations on April 10, 1992. The embassy of Israel in Astana, Kazakhstan opened in August 1992. The embassy of Kazakhstan in Tel Aviv, Israel opened in May 1996. In 2004, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Israel-Kazakhstan was established in Israel in order to develop and expand trade and economic relations.
Georgia–Israel relations are diplomatic, commercial and cultural ties between Georgia and Israel. Diplomatic relations were formally established on June 1, 1992, alongside establishing diplomatic relations with the US. Georgia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a consulate in Jerusalem. Israel has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Israel–Netherlands relations are foreign relations between Israel and the Netherlands. The Netherlands has an embassy in Ramat Gan, an information office in Jerusalem and two honorary consulates in Eilat and Haifa. Israel has an embassy in The Hague. Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Israel–Romania relations are foreign relations between Israel and Romania. The two nations established diplomatic relations on 11 June 1948. Israel has an embassy in Bucharest. Romania has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a general consulate in Haifa, and 2 honorary consulates. The two have signed treaties and agreements and both are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Israel–Philippines relations refers to the bilateral ties between the State of Israel and the Republic of the Philippines.
Israel–Sweden relations refers to the bilateral relations between Israel and Sweden. Israel has an embassy in Stockholm while Sweden has an embassy in Tel Aviv, and honorary consulates in Eilat and Haifa. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were briefly damaged when Sweden became the first member of the European Union to recognize the State of Palestine in 2014. Previously, other members had recognized Palestine, but that was before they joined the EU.
Israel–Singapore relations, also referred to as Israeli–Singaporean relations, refers to the bilateral relations between the State of Israel and the Republic of Singapore. Relations between the two countries have been extremely cordial and friendly for more than half a century, which are influenced by their similar geopolitical state of affairs, being relatively small states surrounded by larger neighbors hostile to their continued existence.
Israel–Kenya relations are foreign relations between Israel and Kenya. The countries established diplomatic relations in December 1963. Israel has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
The Branch Office of the Embassy of the United States of America in Tel Aviv is part of the diplomatic mission of the United States in the State of Israel. The complex opened in 1966, and is located at 71 HaYarkon Street in Tel Aviv. It served as the United States Embassy until May 14, 2018, when the seat of embassy was relocated to Jerusalem.
Israel–Paraguay relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Israel and Paraguay. Both countries have full diplomatic relations since the middle of the 20th century, and each has been represented by a full embassy in the other, until 2018.
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