Collective action is how we win – see what our determined collective power has achieved

Sumud works towards ending Israeli apartheid, occupation, colonialism and genocide and for the realisation of Palestinian human and political rights. Determined grassroots work achieves victories, here is a compilation of what your support has made possible.

1. The Greens and the Left Alliance declared themselves Apartheid-Free Zones

The Greens and the Left Alliance have declared themselves Apartheid-Free Zones. Two parliamentary parties have now committed to policies that uphold international law and oppose apartheid. This historic victory is the result of the BDS campaign’s long-term work.

An Apartheid-Free Zone participates in targeted boycotts set by the BDS movement – including cultural and academic boycotts – and continues boycotting until Israel complies with international law and recognizes Palestinian human rights. An Apartheid-Free Zone also commits to promoting anti-racism and equality.

Already over 100 businesses and communities across 16 different locations in Finland have declared themselves Apartheid-Free Zones! Here you can find a list of Finland’s Apartheid-Free Zones by city.

You can recognize Apartheid-Free Zones by the sticker above.

2. Boycotts produced results: S Group removed Israeli products from its selection

S Group removed Israeli products from its selection. The victory demonstrates the power of consumer boycotts and cooperative council initiatives. Sumud contacted stores and organized a election pledge campaign during the cooperative elections.

Our next goal? Removing Israeli products from Kesko’s shelves as well.

Lue lisää BDS-kampanjan työstä.

3. Discriminatory passport policy against Palestinians overturned

In autumn 2025, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) stopped recognizing Palestinian passports, which placed several Palestinians living in Finland in legal uncertainty and even under threat of deportation.

Sumud’s petition to overturn the decision gathered nearly 11,000 signatories in less than a week. Already in October 2025, Migri announced it would once again accept passports issued by the Palestinian Authority in residence permit applications.

4. Flow Festival joined the cultural boycott – Flow Strike ended in victory!

Flow Festival committed to supporting Palestinian civil society’s call to refrain from cultural cooperation linked to Israeli state hybrid influence, and will evaluate future partnerships based on BDS principles.

5. Finland’s first Apartheid-Free Pride!

History was made in April 2026. Fiskars Pride set an example for the entire human rights field by officially joining the cultural boycott and declaring itself an Apartheid-Free Zone.

Solidarity requires action, not just words. We invite all Prides to follow Fiskars Pride’s example; read our appeal to Helsinki Pride here >

6. Trade unions against apartheid

Finland’s largest arts and culture union, Teme, and mental health workers’ JHL 580 declared themselves Apartheid-Free Zones.

These decisions set an example for the entire labor movement and demonstrate how workers can channel solidarity into concrete actions for Palestinian freedom. Read more and contact your own union >

7. The “Law on Point” citizens’ initiative brought arms deals into the public eye

Supported by the Justice Not Arms campaign, the Law on Point citizens’ initiative demanded that Finland stop buying weapons from states that violate human rights.

Although parliament rejected the initiative, its victory was bringing the topic into public debate: Finland’s arms purchases from Israel became the subject of extensive and critical scrutiny both in the media and among parliamentary parties. The work continues.

Read more about the Justice Not Arms campaign’s work >

Your support makes this work possible

Sumud’s work is made possible by financial support from individuals and the time dedicated by our activists. Independence gives us the freedom to challenge structures and demand justice fearlessly.

By supporting our work, you are helping build the next victories.

• Become a member or donate our work: sumud.fi/lahjoita
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