Finnish Doctors and Dentists Against the Genocide of Palestinians

Open letter to the Government of Finland and the European Union

The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish.

United Nations, January 12, 1951, Article I

Video by B’TSELEM - https://www.btselem.org/publications/202507_our_genocide

When clear signs and evidence of genocide emerge, the absence of action to stop it amounts to complicity.

UN Commission of Inquiry on genocide committed by Israel
September 15th, 2025

Sent on October 16th, 2025 to:
the President of Finland
the Government of Finland
the Finnish Members of the European Union

Filed as a petition to the European Parliament on October 21st, 2025

Statement by Finnish Medical Doctors and Dentists Against Israel’s War Crimes and the Destruction of Healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank

We, the undersigned medical doctors and dentists, committed to the protection of life and human dignity, are deeply shocked by the escalating war crimes and human rights violations committed by the State of Israel in Gaza and the West Bank [1-19]. In recent weeks and months, the scale of Israel’s actions has reached unprecedented levels. The international community, including Finland, must take immediate and concrete steps to bring this to an end.

The deliberate attacks by the Israeli military on civilians [1-42], healthcare facilities [1-3, 20-23] and workers [2-6, 9-12, 20-21, 24-25], and critical infrastructure [1-3, 14, 20-22, 26] violate the Geneva Conventions and the fundamental principles of international human rights law. Repeated assaults on hospitals, schools, homes, and refugee camps [1, 18-19, 25, 27-29], as well as the arbitrary detention of local healthcare professionals [4-6, 24], are part of a systematic effort to break the Palestinian people.

Children, from newborns onward, are suffering horrific injuries because of the bombings and are dying without access to adequate medical care [12-16, 21-22, 28-30]. According to testimonies from international doctors operating in Gaza, Israeli soldiers have deliberately shot and killed children [12-13, 18, 30-31]. This is not only a medical crisis — it is a moral catastrophe. Israel’s policy of obstructing humanitarian aid exacerbates an already dire situation [15-16, 32-33]. Aid convoys are being blocked, and medical supplies and baby formula are being confiscated. Additionally, international aid workers are in constant danger [9-11, 20, 22-23, 33-34]. These actions are not accidental, but a deliberate and systematic plan to render Gaza uninhabitable and deprive its people of the basic conditions for life.

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, attacks against the Palestinian population continue [7, 8, 17-19, 25, 30-32]. Illegal settlements are being expanded, while the local Palestinian population is being forcibly displaced and subjected to violence. As a result, Palestinian communities live in constant fear for their lives and uncertainty about their future. The situation has reached a point where the very existence of the Palestinian people is under threat. This suffering, destruction, and the killing of civilians and healthcare workers can no longer be ignored. We are witnessing genocide [35-41], and the international community must act immediately.

As Finnish medical professionals, we cannot stand by passively in the face of these shocking crimes. Therefore, we demand the following actions from the Government of Finland and the European Union [42] to end this escalating catastrophe:

Implementation of targeted sanctions and trade restrictions on Israel. This includes, for example, a ban on arms exports to Israel and the freezing of military trade with the State of Israel by both the European Union and Finland.
Recognition of the State of Palestine. The majority of countries have already recognized, or are in the process of recognizing, the State of Palestine. Such recognition represents a crucial step toward Palestinian self-determination and sends a clear message to Israel that the international community stands in support of the Palestinian people and condemns ongoing war crimes.
Demanding an immediate ceasefire and ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza and the West Bank. The European Union and the United Nations must exert pressure on Israel to allow safe and unrestricted access for international aid workers, healthcare professionals, and essential medical supplies and equipment to these areas.
Ensuring the humane treatment of detainees. The international community must demand that Israel treat all detainees humanely [4-8], especially healthcare workers and children. Israel must release all prisoners who have not been formally charged.
Support for independent investigations into Israel’s war crimes. Those responsible for war crimes must be held accountable. Finland should cooperate with the international community to ensure that Israel’s actions are thoroughly investigated.
Suspension of Israel’s membership in international organizations such as the United Nations Human Rights Council and other multilateral forums, should Israel continue to violate international humanitarian law and the human rights of Palestinian civilians.

We urge the Finnish Government to use its position within the European Union and the United Nations to press Israel to immediately cease all ongoing human rights violations. This escalating catastrophe is affecting the lives and health of millions. The situation is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue. We demand justice for the victims of these war crimes and rapid action from the Finnish Government in accordance with the demands set forth above.

We encourage the global medical community to join us in this appeal and to express their support for the people of Palestine and for our fellow healthcare professionals working in the region.

Signed by,
1232 confirmed doctors and dentists in Finland

The full letter, including all signatures, has been submitted to the relevant officials.

References:

petition@finnishhealthcarepetition.eu

Finnish Doctors and Dentists Against the Genocide of Palestinians

Open letter to the Government of Finland and the European Union

United Nations, January 12, 1951, Article I

Video by B’TSELEM - https://www.btselem.org/publications/202507_our_genocide

When clear signs and evidence of genocide emerge, the absence of action to stop it amounts to complicity.UN Commission of Inquiry on genocide committed by IsraelSeptember 15th, 2025

When clear signs and evidence of genocide emerge, the absence of action to stop it amounts to complicity.

UN Commission of Inquiry on genocide committed by Israel
September 15th, 2025