Malta officially recognized the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday, joining a growing number of countries that have taken the same step.
The announcement was made by the office of Prime Minister Robert Abela, confirming Malta’s support for Palestinian statehood.
This follows Sunday’s decision by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal to recognize Palestine, a move designed to strengthen the two-state solution and bring an end to the war in Gaza. France and several other nations are also expected to follow suit.
Prime Minister Abela had first revealed his government’s plans to recognize Palestine in May. Malta, a Mediterranean island and EU member state, has a long history of backing Palestinian causes and supporting efforts towards a two-state solution, while at the same time maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel.
The country also shares a personal connection to Palestine, as the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s widow lived in Malta for several years.
On Sunday evening, Abela praised Malta’s delivery of a donated flour shipment to Gaza, describing it as a humanitarian act on the eve of recognition. He called the decision to recognize Palestine a historic moment, reaffirming Malta’s commitment to peace in the Middle East.
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