Many Arutz-7 readers have registered their complaints with representatives of Finland and its government regarding the country's refusal to sell critically important gas-detection kits to Israel. Finland was considerate enough to formulate a response to the complaints, in which it explained that it sold Israel 10,000 gas masks last year, that the gas detectors are intended for "testing purposes only," and that the decision was made in accord with EU principles.
In addition, the response notes that "before the recent crisis in Palestine [wording that appears in some versions of the response], Finland granted licenses for exports of two examples of the previous models of gas detectors" but that "in both cases, the exports for demonstration purposes did not lead to larger commercial deals."
Some questions remain unanswered, however. Israel has an acute and immediate need, in light of the danger that Iraq may attack Israel with chemical weapons, for the gas detection kits. How will last year's sale of 10,000 gas masks help Israel in its all-important gas-detection efforts?
In addition, the relevance of the fact that the kits are for "testing" is not clear. Assuming they are operative - as other parts of the letter imply - why should they not be exported to Israel? Thirdly, to whom did Finland grant the license for exports over two years ago, why did this "not lead to larger commercial deals, and how will this help Israel now?
Finally, the reference to "Palestine" reveals much about Finland's approach to the current Middle East hostilities. No entity exists by that name; could Finland possibly be referring to the Holy Land as Palestine? If the reference is to the Palestinian Authority, why does Finland consider the crisis to be taking place there, and not in Israel?
Arutz-7 directed these questions to Finland yesterday, and is awaiting a response. Readers may also direct these questions to "piritta.asunmaa@formin.fi" and "Mirja.Covarrubias@formin.fi", among others.
In addition, the response notes that "before the recent crisis in Palestine [wording that appears in some versions of the response], Finland granted licenses for exports of two examples of the previous models of gas detectors" but that "in both cases, the exports for demonstration purposes did not lead to larger commercial deals."
Some questions remain unanswered, however. Israel has an acute and immediate need, in light of the danger that Iraq may attack Israel with chemical weapons, for the gas detection kits. How will last year's sale of 10,000 gas masks help Israel in its all-important gas-detection efforts?
In addition, the relevance of the fact that the kits are for "testing" is not clear. Assuming they are operative - as other parts of the letter imply - why should they not be exported to Israel? Thirdly, to whom did Finland grant the license for exports over two years ago, why did this "not lead to larger commercial deals, and how will this help Israel now?
Finally, the reference to "Palestine" reveals much about Finland's approach to the current Middle East hostilities. No entity exists by that name; could Finland possibly be referring to the Holy Land as Palestine? If the reference is to the Palestinian Authority, why does Finland consider the crisis to be taking place there, and not in Israel?
Arutz-7 directed these questions to Finland yesterday, and is awaiting a response. Readers may also direct these questions to "piritta.asunmaa@formin.fi" and "Mirja.Covarrubias@formin.fi", among others.