In recent years, Israeli settlers have destroyed a significant number of Palestinian schools and other infrastructure in the West Bank, including facilities financed by Finland.

According to the foreign ministry, Finland's exact contribution to any particular destroyed building cannot be determined, as the projects are financed jointly by multiple donors.

Finland channels aid to the Palestinian territories through several programmes. Since 2019, it has provided a total of 3.4 million euros to the West Bank Protection Consortium (WBPC), which supports the construction of schools and other community infrastructure.

Finland, along with several other countries, has for years supported the construction of schools, water systems and housing in Palestinian communities in rural areas of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Since 2009, Israeli authorities have demolished more than 14,000 structures in the West Bank, according to UN data. Israel often justifies such demolitions claiming the structures lack the necessary building permits.

Finland and other donor countries have funded schools and other infrastructure to help Palestinians remain on their land rather than being forced to leave their homes, Allegra Pacheco, head of the WBPC, told Yle.

Finland has urged Israel, both directly and through the EU, to take action against settler violence, Elisa Alho-Kullström, head of the Middle East unit at the foreign ministry, said in an emailed statement.

The EU has also sought compensation from Israel for destroyed donor-funded structures. Alho-Kullström said Finland has participated each year in letters pressing those claims.

Israel has not provided an official response to either the EU or Finland. Israeli authorities did not respond to Yle's request for comment.