Finnish FM visits Jerusalem for first time since 2016, discusses regional issues with FM Sa’ar
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar hosted Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen in Jerusalem, marking the first such visit in nearly a decade amid EU discussions on Israel.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar hosted his Finnish counterpart, Elina Valtonen, at the ministry in Jerusalem during an official diplomatic visit on Sunday.
Valtonen’s visit marked the first time a Finnish foreign minister has visited Jerusalem since 2016.
The Foreign Ministry viewed the visit as a significant diplomatic opportunity, particularly against the backdrop of the complex international climate in which Israel is operating and the discussions taking place within the European Union regarding ties with Israel.
Sa’ar and Valtonen first met privately, then held an expanded meeting with delegations from their respective countries. Sa’ar’s office described the talks as “substantive and in-depth,” focusing on two main tracks: strengthening bilateral relations and recent regional developments.
Sa’ar thanked Valtonen for Finland’s support of the EU’s decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar hosting his Finnish counterpart, Elina Valtonen, at the Foreign Ministry, Jerusalem, February 15, 2026. (credit: SHLOMI AMSALEM/GPO)
“This is the first visit in a decade, and we did not want to miss the opportunity to influence the Finnish government,” a source familiar with the details said concerning Israel’s goals for the meeting.
Sa’ar attempts to counter criticism of Israel’s West Bank bills
Sa’ar also presented Valtonen with a map of Israel, intended to illustrate the country’s limited size, amid international criticism of recent decisions regarding Israel and the administration of the West Bank.
The map showed that Israel is approximately one-fifteenth the size of Finland, with Jerusalem officials emphasizing that this relatively small size is central to understanding security constraints.
Valtonen is slated to visit Yad Vashem and the site of the Nova music festival – a focal point of the October 7 massacre – during her visit.
The Foreign Ministry estimates that Valtonen’s visit could help shape Finland’s positions within the EU and other international forums in the coming period, particularly regarding regional issues and Europe’s approach to Israel.
