75 Finnish actors, artists, musicians and authors come together for video reading of South Africa’s ICJ charge accusing Israel of genocide

A group of actors, musicians, authors and other artists and cultural influencers based in Finland have come together for a reading of excerpts, translated into Finnish, from South Africa’s case file submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The video seeks to raise awareness of the genocide case brought to the ICJ in addition to calling for the Finnish government to support South Africa’s case. The video has been published on the You Tube channel of Sumud – The Finnish Palestine Network. 

Appearing in the video are, among others, actors Jani Toivola, Martti Suosalo, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Vesa Vierikko and Anna Airola, actor and artist Chike Ohanwe, musician Pauli Hanhiniemi, filmmakers Ima Iduozee, Shareef Abu Askar, Selma Vierinen and Jenni Toivoniemi as well as independent writer Koko Hubara. By publishing the video, the producers call for an end to the ongoing genocide against Palestinians and for the realization of Palestinians’ human rights.  

Elina Knihtilä, one of the actors appearing in the video, says: “1 percent of Gazan children have been killed in just a few months and an increasing number of people believe that there is a genocide happening in Gaza. The material in South Africa’s case file is shockingly thorough and convincing, and it is important that it is available also in Finnish.”

Finnish-Palestinian artist and chairperson of Sumud, Noora Dadu, also appears as a reader in the video. She says: “Hearing the charges [brought by South Africa in the ICJ] on January 11 was a touching moment for many Palestinians, myself included. Lawyers, in their magical wigs, said what Palestinians have been crying out for weeks, months, years and yet has fallen on deaf ears. My experience as a Finnish-Palestinian is that Palestinians are not believed. Maybe for the first time I felt like Palestinians were talked about in a prestigious context as people who should be protected by the law.”

“People should listen to the charges carefully also because Finland might currently be guilty of aiding and abetting a genocide”, Dadu continues. “The Finnish state has an opportunity to advocate for peace and justice by supporting the ICJ case. At the same time, we have the chance to begin distancing ourselves from complicity in the ongoing crimes.”

The video has been produced by Sumud – The Finnish Palestine Network and Apartheid historiaan (fin. Make apartheid history), a working group within Vapaa Palestiina (fin. Free Palestine), a Finnish collective of some 600 volunteers working to produce Finnish language information about the Israeli occupation, apartheid and genocide against Palestinians.  

In late December 2023, South Africa launched a case at the ICJ in the Hague alleging that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide. On January 26, the ICJ announced provisional measures concerning the charge. The provisional measures ordered by the court include demanding that Israel prevent all actions that could constitute genocide as well as ensure that no evidence that could later be used in investigating possible genocide is destroyed. The ICJ also ordered Israel to ensure the access of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Provisional measures ordered by the ICJ are legally binding. 

The ordering of provisional measures is an interim decision in the genocide case brough by South Africa. Delivering a final verdict might take up to several years. 

The Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (National Coalition Party) has previously stated that Finland will evaluate its stand on the South African charge during the spring. Finland could support South Africa’s case by submitting a so-called declaration of intervention to the ICJ. 

Additional information and interview requests

Lili De Paola

Coordinator

Sumud – The Finnish Palestine Network

[email protected]