Pro-Israel rallies mark Hamas attack anniversary in 25 Finnish locations

Pro-Israel demonstrations are being held in 25 locations across Finland on Wednesday, three years after Hamas attacked Israel, Yle reports. The Israel Friendship Committee is organizing the events.

In Helsinki, demonstrators set off from outside Parliament House at about 4:40 p.m. and are marching to Narinkka Square. The largest rallies are in Helsinki, Turku, Tampere and Vaasa.

Risto Huvila, chair of the Finland-Israel Associations Union, said the events show support for Israel and opposition to terrorism. He said several hundred people were expected in Helsinki and similar numbers in other large cities. Huvila added that some people might stay away because of fears about possible security threats.

The rallies have been held each year on the anniversary of the Hamas attack. The first, in October 2023, was a candlelight vigil outside the Israeli Embassy. Huvila said previous marches had mainly faced occasional heckling, while police provided security.

Israel’s army has captured most of Gaza and has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians there, mostly civilians. The UN’s International Court of Justice is considering whether Israel is committing genocide. Huvila rejects that characterization. He said Israel has lost more than 600 soldiers in the war and Israeli casualties continue every week. He described the Hamas attack as the greatest trauma in Israel’s history since independence and said the anniversary would become a permanent part of national remembrance.