The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss Israel's storming of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Picture: Lehtikuva - Reuters - Chip East

Avi Granot, Israel's ambassador to Finland, was summoned to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Tuesday to explain Israel's actions in connection with Gaza.

Finland has condemned the violent attack by Israel on a Gaza bound convoy of aid ships in international waters, and demanded for a neutral investigation.

Pertti Torstila, a secretary of state at the Finnish foreign ministry, strongly appealed to Granot for an end to the Gaza blockade and expressed the Finnish government's regret and concern over the cycle of violence.

Alexander Stubb (cons), Finland's foreign minister, commented in his blog on Tuesday that peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians must continue despite the Gaza incident, and that it now needs to be confirmed whether any Finns were onboard the aid ships.

STT