More than 500 county and municipal election candidates have signed Sumud’s election pledge

Kuva: Hannu Häkkinen

Sumud – The Finnish Palestine Network has initiated a county and municipal election campaign aimed at directing municipal and county procurements to companies whose operations do not conflict with human rights. Candidates participating in the campaign commit to promoting that counties and municipalities do not invest in companies that are involved in human rights violations or make procurements from such companies. The election pledge concerns, among others, companies operating in Israel’s illegal settlements. The campaign reminds that the quality of life in Finland should not be maintained at the expense of the rights of others.

The election pledge has been signed by over 500 county and municipal election candidates from about 70 municipalities across Finland. Among them are Hanna Graeffe (the Greens, Järvenpää), Veronika Honkasalo (the Left Alliance, Helsinki), Nadia Korkman (the Swedish People’s Party, Kirkkonummi), Markku Mononen (the Liberal Party, Kuopio), Lassi Murto (the National Coalition Party, Raisio), Heini Niinimäki (the Animal Justice Party, Savonlinna), Mohammad Saad (Asukkaiden ääni, Helsinki), and Pinja Perholehto (Social Democratic Party, Hyvinkää). The committed candidates come from various parties and electoral associations. The campaign is led by Sumud’s volunteers, whose goal is to reach 15% of the candidates in the county and municipal elections.

“We aim for a national change. The campaign program has been developed by the association’s volunteers. It is a big effort to create dignified municipal politics,” says Havu Laakso, a volunteer municipal election coordinator for Sumud.

Commitment to the election pledge strengthens the faith in a rules-based world order

In the autumn of 2024, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ban on imports from Israel’s illegal settlements and an end to business activities which support Israel’s illegal occupation. Finland voted in favor of it. As an example, in February 2025 the city of Sydney in Australia, passed a decision that the city will not engage with companies profiting from illegal settlements. Through the election pledge campaign voters can demand a change and candidates are provided with tools to take action. 

Israel has occupied the Palestinian territories and the Golan Heights in violation of international law for over 50 years and continues to rapidly expand settlements in these areas. Companies operating in the settlements contribute to their upkeep and enable their expansion. Such business activities in the settlements have been widely condemned.

“Change can be influenced by choosing partners that respect UN human rights, principles of business conduct, and can demonstrate the responsibility of their supply chains,” says Noora Dadu, chair of Sumud.

Responsibility of the supply chain as a condition for procurement

Municipalities continuously make small purchases that, as a whole, have a significant impact. Some investments are huge. For example, Kaupunkiliikenne Oy, owned by Helsinki and Vantaa, ordered five metro trains from the Spanish company CAF. The investment is problematic because CAF is active in the Jerusalem Light Rail project, which is condemned by the UN Human Rights Council as it connects illegal settlements to Israel.

Council members can promote human rights by, for example, steering school supply and IT procurements away from companies involved in human rights violations. For example, the stage technology for the Tampere Theatre and the National Opera supported by Helsinki has been designed by the Finnish company Insta Advance, which develops software for the David’s Sling weapon system.

“Selling Israeli weapon technology is a way to finance genocide, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing. I do not know if these cultural institutions are even aware of these connections. Cities should demand ethical guidelines from cultural institutions and all actors they support,” states Noora Dadu, who is known as an actress and a playwright.

Voters can challenge their candidates to join the campaign and candidates can sign the election pledge on the website vaalilupaus.eu. The website also provides more information about the campaign and its materials as well as a list of all candidates who have signed the pledge.