VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Pro-Palestine activists gathered in St Julian’s on Sunday evening to protest an Israeli-affiliated medical conference taking place at the Hilton Hotel.
The 33rd World Congress of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP), held from August 24 to 28, has drawn criticism for being co-organised by the Israeli Speech, Hearing and Language Association (ISHLA) and Paragon Team. Activists accused ISHLA of ties to Israeli military reservists and of including members based in settlements on occupied Palestinian land.
The demonstration, organised by NGO Ġustizzja Għall-Palestina, saw dozens waving Palestinian flags in Spinola Gardens, across from the conference venue.
“Our message is simple: stop the genocide in Gaza now,” said Reuben Grima, pointing to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza’s healthcare system. He added that IALP members had been urged to sign a statement condemning Israel and expressing solidarity with Palestinian health workers.
Committee members from the political party ‘Momentum’, Katya Compagno and Natasha Azzopardi joined the protest sending a clear message: Malta cannot conduct business as usual while a massacre is being carried out in Gaza. “We are here because you cannot separate professional life from the horrors unfolding in Gaza,” said Katya Compagno, adding, “the suffering of the Palestinian people is intolerable, and silence is unacceptable. We are once again urging the government to do what is right and recognise the state of Palestine immediately.”
Former Drydocks Council chairman Sammy Meilaq accused Israel of being “the biggest terrorist state in the world” and criticised Prime Minister Robert Abela and Foreign Minister Ian Borg for failing to condemn Israeli actions.
Activist Yana Mintoff denounced the Hilton Hotel and local firms involved in hosting the event, calling on the government to support sanctions against Israel. “We want the government to grow a spine,” she said. The rally was endorsed by several other NGOs.
– photo Momentum –
(ITALPRESS).
