Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela announced on Sunday that Malta will formally recognize the State of Palestine next month, highlighting the country’s stance on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Speaking at a political event, Abela addressed both domestic and international issues, giving particular attention to the situation in the Palestinian territories. According to Malta Today, the prime minister expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Gaza, where nearly 54,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, most of them women and children.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to this human tragedy that is intensifying with each passing day,” Abela said, referring to Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza.
He confirmed that Malta will move forward with the official recognition of Palestine following an international conference scheduled for June 20, calling the decision a moral duty rooted in humanitarian principles.
Abela also spoke emotionally about the recent loss suffered by Dr. Alaa Al-Najjar, a Palestinian pediatrician, whose nine children were killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck their home in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Her husband was critically injured, and only one child survived the attack.
Moved by the family’s suffering, the prime minister said Malta is prepared to welcome Dr. Al-Najjar and her family, offering them refuge and support.
Malta’s announcement aligns with a growing number of global voices calling for diplomatic recognition of Palestine and increased pressure for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.