We cannot allow the evil of antisemitism to prevail

Minister of Finance Riikka Purra:
We cannot allow the evil of antisemitism to prevail

Minister of Finance Riikka Purra gave the Government's address to a memorial ceremony for Jews handed over to Nazi Germany by Finland. The memorial was held in Helsinki on 6 November.

In her address, Minister Purra noted that Finland had no laws against Jews during the Second World War and that Finnish Jews served in the Finnish army alongside their countrymen.

"This, however, does not mean there was no antisemitic sentiment in the country-antisemitism was commonplace all over Europe in the early 20th century," Purra said.

Finland in the late 1930s was very lukewarm to receiving Jewish refugees who were fleeing Nazi persecution in Germany. Finland's cooperation with Nazi Germany during the Continuation War ultimately led to a shameful series of events when Finland handed over eight innocent Jewish refugees to the German death camps.

Finland has a duty to protect Jewish life

"It's the duty of the Finnish state to protect Jewish life in Finland and make sure that the dark chapters of the 1930s and 1940s will never be repeated," Purra said.

Minister Purra also reflected on the fact that the Jewish people met their darkest day since the Holocaust last October, when the terrorist attack by Hamas claimed the lives of 1,200 innocent men, women and children.

"Israel has the legitimate right to defend the integrity and freedom of its people."

Europe's Judeo-Christian roots

Minister Purra also pointed out that Jewish culture has for centuries enriched European arts, sciences and high culture.

"Hence, one can speak of the Judeo-Christian identity of Europe. However, it is not uncommon that people are unfamiliar with the huge contribution of the Jewish people to Europe.

"The international media, which doesn't always cover Israel in an objective manner, and especially conspiracy theories circling on social media platforms, are fuelling negative opinions towards the Jewish people.

"It also has to be voiced clearly that, through international migration of people to Europe, we have imported thoughts and ideologies from countries where antisemitism or so-called antizionism are legitimate political opinions. Antisemitism cannot be tolerated irrespective of the perpetrator's background."

Never again

Minister Purra expressed the Government's determination to combat antisemitism.

"Holocaust denial will be criminalised. This year, Finland for the first time observed the 27th of January as Holocaust Remembrance Day in accordance with international practices.

"The government is also determined not to allow such circumstances to develop in Finland that have been seen in some European countries, where Jewish people fear for their lives every day."

Even though the world has experienced terrible crimes against humanity during the decades since the Second World War, the Holocaust should be treated as a singular event.

"Never before or since has a single country created such sophisticated machinery to exterminate the lives of a particular group of people. Regrettably, Finland also played a part in this terrible crime against the Jewish people. It is vital that every 6th of November we remember the eight Jewish people Finland handed over.

"Never again can we allow such evil to prevail in Europe or in any other part of the world."

Inquiries:
Jari Mäkäräinen, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 530 213, jari.makarainen(at)gov.fi

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