Finland’s president says he will recognise Palestinian state as Israel and Palestine have 'suffered'

Finland’s president Alexander Stubb says he is ready to approve recognition of a Palestinian state if the Finnish government decides to make such a proposal in a post on X on Thursday.

Stubb claimed that both Israel and Palestine were suffereing: "In Israel, there is a real threat of violence. Hamas, many other terrorist organizations, and several states still do not recognize Israel's existence. At the same time, the situation in Gaza is inhumane. Children are dying of hunger as food aid does not reach them. Civilians who have gone to collect food have been shot", he said.

He said that it was important for Arab countries to recognise Israel, saying: "It is important that the Arab countries that have not yet recognized Israel do so. The Palestinian Authority has already recognized Israel. Hamas does not represent Palestine".