VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has reiterated that Malta will officially recognise the State of Palestine, but only after a United Nations conference on the Israel-Palestine conflict takes place—a conference that has since been postponed.
In May, Abela pledged Malta’s formal recognition of Palestine during a UN meeting initially scheduled for 20 June. However, that conference was postponed after Israel launched a military strike on Iran, and no recognition has yet occurred. Speaking in Parliament, Abela updated MPs on recent EU-level meetings in Strasbourg and Brussels. While noting the increasing tensions between Israel and Iran and the ongoing suffering in Gaza, he made no mention of Malta’s previously stated intention to recognise Palestine.
Opposition Leader Bernard Grech challenged Abela in his response, asking why Malta has yet to act. “Malta needs to be a strong voice for human rights and justice. It shouldn’t just follow the lead—especially in Gaza and the Middle East,” Grech said. Abela later confirmed that Malta remains committed to recognition, but will wait for the rescheduled UN event before proceeding. Malta is one of four European nations that, in March 2024, declared readiness to recognise Palestinian statehood. Of those, only Malta has yet to follow through. Currently, Malta supports the Palestinian right to statehood, but only in reference to a future state.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
