Finnish FM visits Jerusalem for first time since 2016, discusses regional issues with FM Sa’ar
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar received Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen in Jerusalem, marking the first such visit in almost a decade as part of EU talks on Israel.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar received his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen at the ministry in Jerusalem on Sunday during an official diplomatic visit.
Valtonen’s visit was the first time a Finnish foreign minister visited Jerusalem since 2016.
The Foreign Ministry viewed the visit as an important diplomatic opportunity, particularly in the context of the complex international climate in which Israel operates and ongoing discussions within the European Union regarding relations with Israel.
Sa’ar and Valtonen first met privately, then held an expanded meeting with delegations from their respective countries. Saar’s office described the talks as “substantial and in-depth”, focusing on two main axes: strengthening bilateral relations and recent regional developments.
Sa’ar thanked Valtonen for Finland’s support for the EU’s decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar receives his Finnish counterpart, Elina Valtonen, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in 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,” said a source familiar with details regarding Israel’s goals for the meeting.
Saar attempts to respond to criticism of Israeli West Bank bills
Sa’ar also presented Valtonen with a map of Israel, intended to illustrate the country’s limited size, amid international criticism over recent decisions regarding Israel and the administration of the West Bank.
The map shows that Israel is about one-fifteenth the size of Finland, with Jerusalem officials emphasizing that this relatively small size is key to understanding security constraints.
Valtonen is expected to visit Yad Vashem and the site of the Nova music festival – a focal point of the October 7 massacre – during his visit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that Valtonen’s visit could help shape Finland’s positions in the EU and other international forums in the coming period, particularly regarding regional issues and the European approach to Israel.
