Dozens of demonstrators in Helsinki on Saturday strongly protested the ongoing genocide and famine in Gaza created by Israel and demanded immediate ceasefire to save the lives of innocent civilians.
The protesters brought out procession, formed human chain and held rally at city´s Aleksanterinkatu area in the afternoon and urged the Finnish government to recognise a Palestinian state without further delay.
The Finnish Palestinian Association (Palcif) and the Finnish-Arab Friendship Society (AKYS) organised the demonstration in cooperation with the Finnish Palestine Network (Sumud), Health for Palestine Finland, and Mothers’ Rebellion Finland (Äitikapina).
Bearing various banners, festoons and Palestinian flags, the protesters chanted slogans against the killing of innocent people, including women and children in Gaza indiscriminately by Israeli army and urged the international community to take stern measures to ensure smooth supply of food aids and medicines there.
The participants were seen banging pots, pans and other kitchen utensils to produce what they called the “sound of hunger.”
“We want to bring the sound of hunger to people,” said Sadek Elwan, chairman of the Watan Friendship Association, an organisation that specialises in showcasing Palestinian embroidery. The group took part in the protest, displaying crafts and textiles for sale, with all profits donated to Gaza.
The demonstrators also demanded that the Finnish government should cancel arms deals with Israel and create pressure on Netanyahu administration to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
They also criticised the Finnish government for rejecting EU request to take injured people from Gaza in last year, although several EU countries and Norway accepted injured Palestinians.
“Hospitals have expressed their willingness to host Palestinian children and treat them, but the government is not willing to take them,” Elwan said.
Talking to Daily Finland, Eero Hakanen, Secretary of the Finnish-Arab Friendship Society (AKYS) said that the powerful role of pro-Israeli lobbying networks, particularly within Finland’s Christian Democratic Party has prevented the present four-party alliance government from recognising Palestine as a state.
He said that AKYS provides direct aid to Palestinians in need, in addition to contributing to the organisations of solidarity events for Palestine since its founding in 1976.
“We have around 80 Finnish parents who are giving small monthly sponsorships to support Palestinian refugee children to help cover school fees,” Hakanen said, referring to the group’s cooperation with Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
AKYS also works to influence parties and politicians to take concrete action on Palestine.
“It is a very hard task, but we have to keep on trying with other organisations to, for instance, push for the recognition of a Palestinian state,” Hakanen said, adding that AKYS operates independently without support from any Arab country.
Earlier on August 9, 2025, a silent protest was held in Helsinki to commemorate Palestinian children killed in the Gaza.
In July, 2025, Finnish health professionals held a series of demonstrations at Meilahti Hospital Campus in Helsinki against governmental policies and to encourage their colleagues in healthcare sector to speak up on the Gaza siege.
In May, 2024, Students of the University of Helsinki started a pro-Palestine demonstration at the campus protesting against the Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Earlier on October 28, 2023, several thousands of people staged demonstrations at different major cities in Finland protesting against the killing of Palestinians in Gaza by Israel.
On October 20, 2023, several hundreds of people staged a demonstration at Helsinki city centre protesting against the Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Similar demonstrations were also held in November 2023 demanding immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
- Protest
- Helsinki
- Israeli
- Genocide
- Gaza
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
