Finnish president says antisemitism and racism on the rise

Speaking at the formal re-opening of Finland’s parliament, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö called on his nation to show resolve in combating rising racism and antisemitism.

Niinistö recalled the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, which he attended, and noted that even though decades have passed, human nature has not become immune to hatred.
“There are signs of antisemitism and racism being on the rise, alas also in Finland. We must be resolute in challenging them. They do not deserve any foothold in our society,” the president declared.

The Israeli Embassy has been vandalised on at least 15 occasions in recent years and there are more recent examples, including the Turku Synagogue daubed with red paint on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Furthermore, the neo-Nazi organisation Towards Freedom held a demonstration in the city of Tampere, which culminated in torching the Israeli flag.

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