Finnish FM urges full lift to Gaza blockade

Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja called on Israel Tuesday to lift all restrictions on the Gaza Strip. The minister made his remarks during a brief visit to the coastal enclave that did not include meetings with any government officials, since the European Union bans any official contact with the Islamic Hamas movement that controls Gaza. Tuomioja said that Israel should make long-term essential steps allowing the rebuilding of the economy in Gaza, mainly smoothing the trade between Gaza and the West Bank. Israel notably eased the blockade it imposed on Gaza after Hamas took over the territory in 2007, but export is still limited. Tuomioja reiterated the EU's support for a Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace. He also donated 1.5 million euros (some 1.9 million U.S. dollars) to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which helps Palestinian refugees in food, health and education.