About 2,000 take part in pro-Israel march in Helsinki

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Police estimate that about 2,000 people took part in a demonstration in support of Israel in the centre of Helsinki on Thursday evening.
      After marching from the Aurora sportsground, a rally was held at the Kasarmitori square, after which the marchers moved on to the Old Church, where the event concluded.
     
The demonstration came after last week’s raid by Israeli commandos on an international aid flotilla that was bringing humanitarian supplies to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s embargo. Nine people were killed by the Israelis in the operation. Many of the marchers criticised the Finnish media over what they saw as biased coverage of the incident.
      “The reporting was distorted. I’m not here to incite violence, but I am demanding that the point of view of both sides should come out”, said Simon Elo from Espoo.
     
One of the demonstrators, Kaija Patrikainen, who had lived in Israel for 18 years, criticised Helsingin Sanomat for biased reporting, and defended the embargo on Gaza.
      “When I lived in Israel, bombs were constantly falling near the Gaza security fence. I have been following the reporting on the events in the Hebrew-language media”, she said.
     
The Israeli Ambassador to Finland and Estonia, Avi Granot, also took part in the march. Granot said that he is grateful “for the support shown by ordinary Finns”.
      The Israel Friendship Committee, which organised the event, estimated that 3,000 took part. The committee’s chairman John Remes was surprised at the turnout.
      “There are all kinds of Christians from all congregations here, not just Jews. We are not against anyone, but the image given by the media of recent events is one-sided”, Remes said.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  NEWS ANALYSIS: Gaza’s cause is not ours (3.6.2010)
  Several hundred in Helsinki demonstration against Israeli attack on Gaza convoy (2.6.2010)

Helsingin Sanomat