VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has officially recognised the State of Palestine, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced at the United Nations in New York, describing the step as a “concrete move” towards a peaceful two-state solution in the Middle East. Speaking at a UN conference on the Two-State Solution, Abela said the decision was not an attack on Israel but a commitment to coexistence.
“Just because something is hard does not make it impossible,” he told world leaders. The Prime Minister condemned Hamas’s October 7 attacks as “despicable” and stressed the group must play no role in a future Palestinian state. He called for the immediate release of hostages, an end to Israeli assaults on civilians, a halt to settlement expansion, and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza. Abela said recognition comes with responsibilities, urging the Palestinian Authority to embrace non-violence, hold free elections, remove hate speech from schools and consolidate governance. “One State, One Government, One Law, One Gun,” he declared.
The move places Malta alongside countries including Belgium, France, Luxembourg, New Zealand and San Marino, following similar recognition this week by the UK, Canada, Portugal and Australia. Opposition leader Alex Borg welcomed the decision, noting his party had long advocated for Palestinian statehood. “The two-state solution remains the only way forward to peace,” he wrote on social media.
Malta also paired its declaration with humanitarian aid, delivering 250 tonnes of flour to Gaza and providing medical support for wounded children. Abela framed the step as principled yet pragmatic, insisting a negotiated settlement is “the only solution” to secure Israel’s safety and Palestinian self-determination. “The depth of the current tragedy must be the spur for the world not to give up but to step up,” he said. The Prime Minister is attending the 80th UN General Assembly, where more than 190 leaders are meeting under the theme “Better United Together”.
– Photo OPM –
(ITALPRESS).
