Pro-Israel protest in Finland counters anti-Israel protest
The pro-Israel protest was organized within 30 hours, and had more than double the attendance of the other protest.
By OMRI RONFinland's flag flutters in Helsinki, Finland, May 3, 2017(photo credit: INTS KALNINS / REUTERS)
A pro-Israel protest took place in Helsinki, Finland, on Tuesday with an attendance of more than 200 people.The protest was organized quickly, as a response to an anti-Israel rally organized by the Finland branch of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, as well as youth organizations of left-wing and green political parties, which are against Israel's annexation plans.Risto Huvila, chairman of the Federation of Finland-Israel Associations and vice chair of the March of Life Finland, organized the event on short notice once he heard of the anti-Israel rally on Monday morning.Over 200 people showed up with flags, shofars and banners, many of whom drove several hundred kilometers, despite quite heavy rain. The number of attendees at the pro-Israel rally was almost double that of the Free Palestine audience."This rally really shows that the members of pro-Israel community in Finland are devout and faithful to show their support for Israel even on the very short notice," Huvila said. "And even in quite bad weather."
