Estonia's "atomic bomb" is under attack – right in our own parliament. Lennart Meri aptly stated that a small nation's atomic bomb is international law. This principle is the foundation of the Republic of Estonia's independence and security.
The Riigikogu Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Group Systematically Undermines Estonian National Interests
It is deeply concerning that an institution operating within the Estonian parliament openly calls for disregarding international law. The Riigikogu Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Group has repeatedly and knowingly, through its actions, prioritized the interests of the State of Israel over the obligations and security interests of the Republic of Estonia. This pattern is evident and dangerous:
- Attack on International Courts: On October 29, 2024, the parliamentary group publicly called for non-recognition of the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant against the Israeli Prime Minister.³ This is a direct call to violate Estonia's obligations arising from the act ratifying the Rome Statute.⁴
- Undermining Estonian Foreign Policy: On September 20, 2024, the parliamentary group condemned Estonia's actions at the UN in supporting Palestinian rights, calling it a threat to Estonian security.⁵ With this, the parliamentary group placed itself in direct contradiction to the official foreign policy line of the Republic of Estonia, as expressed in the UN General Assembly vote.⁶
- Ignoring Humanitarian Catastrophe and ICJ Ruling on Plausible Genocide Allegations: At a time when international organizations have documented widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza – for example, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has confirmed tens of thousands of civilian casualties⁷; the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared the Israeli occupation illegal⁸; the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed intentionally caused starvation⁹; and Amnesty International has drawn attention to acts with characteristics of genocide¹⁰ – the parliamentary group, in its congratulatory message on May 14, 2025, stated that "Estonia and Israel are traditionally united by common values – respect for freedom, human rights, and the principles of the rule of law."¹¹ This is a complete disregard for reality. The ICJ, in its ruling of January 26, 2024, found that the claim of genocide committed by Israel, presented by South Africa, is plausible and obligated Israel to take measures to prevent genocide.¹³
- Suppressing Domestic Debate: Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told ERR on May 30, 2025, that there are no such discussions in Estonia regarding the recognition of Palestine "...there is no discussion in Estonia, nor pressure from other countries, that we should start recognizing Palestine as a state," completely disregarding the citizens' initiative "Estonia Supports Palestinian Statehood." This citizens' initiative was rejected at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee (chaired by Marko Mihkelson), which was attended and commented on by the chairman of the Estonia-Israel parliamentary group, Eerik-Niiles Kross, and former deputy chairman, Henn Põlluaas.¹² This shows a pattern where the parliamentary group's position is used not only to influence foreign policy but also to suppress the voice of Estonian civil society and dissenting opinions.
One thing is a Member of Parliament's personal opinion, but it is entirely another to systematically represent the interests of a foreign country under the guise of a parliamentary institution in a way that harms the foundations of Estonia's own security. This is a clear conflict of interest and an action that undermines our statehood.
Based on the foregoing, we propose to the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament):
To disband the Estonia-Israel parliamentary group operating in its current form, which has, through its activities, prioritized the interests of a foreign state over the Republic of Estonia's obligations under international law.
Taking this step is necessary to restore the principled nature and credibility of the Republic of Estonia's foreign policy. Our security depends on international law being in force. We cannot demand it from others if we do not adhere to it ourselves.
Sources
¹ Lupel, A., Mälksoo, L. (2019). A Necessary Voice: Small States, International Law, and the UN Security Council. International Peace Institute. https://www.ipinst.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/1904_A-Necessary-Voice_Final.pdf ² Mälksoo, L. (2003). State Responsibility and the Challenge of the Realist Paradigm. Baltic Yearbook of International Law, p. 71. ³ Estonian parliamentary group calls for non-recognition of Netanyahu's arrest warrant. Postimees, 29.10.2024. https://www.postimees.ee/8144953/eesti-parlamendiruhm-kutsub-mitte-tunnustama-netanyahu-vahistamismaarust ⁴ Act on the Ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Riigi Teataja (RT II 2002, 14, 55). https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/23986 ⁵ Estonia-Israel parliamentary group condemns Estonia's actions at the UN. Riigikogu press release, 20.09.2024. https://www.riigikogu.ee/pressiteated/muu-pressiteade-et/eesti-iisraeli-parlamendiruhm-taunib-eesti-tegevust-uros/ ⁶ Fourth Committee Approves Draft Resolution on Israeli Practices Affecting Human Rights of Palestinian People. UN Press, 09.11.2023. https://press.un.org/en/2023/gashc4390.doc.htm ⁷ Reported impact snapshot | Gaza Strip (4 September 2024). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). https://www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-4-september-2024 ⁸ UN court: Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal. ERR, 19.07.2024. https://www.err.ee/1609401472/uro-kohus-iisraeli-okupatsioon-palestiina-territooriumidel-on-ebaseaduslik ⁹ People in Gaza starving, sick and dying as aid blockade continues. World Health Organization (WHO), 12.05.2025. https://www.who.int/news/item/12-05-2025-people-in-gaza-starving--sick-and-dying-as-aid-blockade-continues ¹⁰ UN report on Israel’s gender-based violence and genocidal acts against women’s health facilities must spur action to protect Palestinians. Amnesty International, 21.03.2025. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/03/un-report-on-israels-gender-based-violence-and-genocidal-acts-against-womens-health-facilities-must-spur-action-to-protect-palestinians/ ¹¹ Parliamentary group congratulates the State of Israel on Independence Day. Riigikogu press release, 14.05.2025. https://www.riigikogu.ee/fraktsioonide-teated/uhenduste-teated/parlamendiruhm-onnitleb-iisraeli-riiki-iseseisvuspaeva-puhul/ ¹² Citizens' initiative: Estonia supports Palestinian statehood. https://rahvaalgatus.ee/initiatives/1241-eesti-toetab-palestiina-omariiklust ¹³ Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel). International Court of Justice. https://www.icj-cij.org/case/192