Suomen Maantieteellisen seuran lausuma tuomitsee väkivallan Palestiinassa. (julkaistu 25.4.2025)

                                                       
Stop the Violence in Palestine

The Geographical Society of Finland condemns Israel's expansionist military action, breach of the Gaza ceasefire, attack on humanitarian workers, and the intensified killing of civilians, many of whom have nowhere else to go. We also call upon European geographers to speak for the right for everyone to live freely in ways that would effectively and without exceptions build a lasting peace in the region.

We express our support and empathy for the families whose lives have been devastated in the occupation of Palestine and in the conflict. For far too long has the expansive politics led to generational suffering, trauma and loss of humanity due to the inability to co-habit. Humanitarian aid to those affected must not be impeded.

We are deeply concerned about the escalation of violence and the seeming urge of the Israeli government to push Gaza out of existence or to annex the Gaza Strip. We do not wish the loss of centuries of heritage to happen to anyone. Territorial expansion based on war and violence is where we need to draw the line.

We join in solidarity with our colleagues and the scholars who have the courage to speak up about the right of Palestine to exist, and also the millions of Jewish and Palestinian voices that speak against the accelerated extremist policies. We remind that being critical is what academics are supposed to do. For a better future, we need cooperation that will open doors, aim at respectful and truthful dialogue, generate trust and safeguard equal rights for everyone in a place that is holy for so many.

The Geographical Society of Finland is committed to the policy of disinvestment from Israel's government-run scientific programmes and policies as long as the violence continues and calls for universities in Finland to share this basic ethical standpoint. We again wish to remind of our commitment that Geography ought to be used as an instrument of living in peace, in a humane world guided by mutual respect for people, nations and the environment, and, now more than ever, the international law.
 

We demand to Stop the Violence.

 The Geographical Society of Finland