NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has called for an end to settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, warning that lasting peace requires renewed trust between Israelis and Palestinians.
Addressing the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Abela reaffirmed Malta’s support for a negotiated two-state solution and backed the Gaza Peace Plan as a route towards ending the conflict.
He called for safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, while rejecting any forced displacement of Palestinians.
“Settlement expansion … must stop and stop now,” Abela said, also condemning what he described as increasingly violent settler attacks on Palestinian communities.
He said a credible and reformed Palestinian Authority, demonstrating transparency, accountability and democratic legitimacy, would be essential to future peace efforts.
Abela said Malta was prepared to help strengthen the capacity of a renewed Palestinian Authority and Palestinian civil society.
On Israel and Hamas, he said Israelis needed confidence that Hamas would be disarmed and excluded from Gaza’s future governance, while Palestinians needed a credible path towards a just peace.
Turning to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Abela called for a just and lasting peace respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and internationally recognised borders. He said any diplomatic process required a full ceasefire and Ukraine’s participation.
Abela also highlighted artificial intelligence, warning that governments needed international cooperation to manage emerging risks, including cyberattacks, disinformation and threats to critical infrastructure.
Climate change was another focus, with Abela urging stronger international action and recalling Malta’s historic role in promoting cooperation on oceans and climate issues.
He also called for continued UN reform and reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to multilateralism and the Pact for the Future.
Closing his address, Abela urged world leaders to “dare to trust”, arguing that rebuilding confidence in international cooperation was essential to resolving global conflicts.
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(ITALPRESS).
